Dean Smith convinced Aston Villa ace Jack Grealish will be ready for Euro 2020

Grealish has suffered a setback in recovery from a shin problem which has kept him sidelined since February and likely won’t return before the end of the month.

Though Smith insists the 25-year-old will be back before the end of the season, his continued absence raises obvious concerns with the Euros now barely two months away.

Smith said: “For me, there is no danger he will be playing before the end of the season.

“How soon that is, we don’t know. Whenever he gets back he will play games.

“Everyone has seen what he has done already this season. Obviously it is not my decision whether he goes or not but I think he has contributed massively to a productive season for Villa.

“I think he certainly has some credit in the back for the performances he has already put in this season and he will be back before the end.”

Grealish, who has missed Villa’s last seven matches, had returned to training and was set to feature in last weekend’s 3-1 win over Fulham before again feeling pain in his shin.

The injury requires careful management and rest and his expected return date is the Premier League fixture at Everton on May 1. That would give him six matches to prove his form – and most importantly his fitness – before England boss Gareth Southgate names his 23-man tournament squad.

Grealish, who is desperate to star for his country, was enjoying the best season of his career before injury struck and Smith yesterday admitted both club and player had been guilty of trying to force his comeback prematurely.

He said: “Jack’s a young lad who gets frustrated when he’s not playing. It’s probably one of the reasons why we tried to get him back a little bit earlier because he’s bubbly and he’s optimistic and he wants to play.

“It’s a setback that we didn’t see coming. It’s happened and now he knows he’s got to be strict and make sure we deload him and we have to be stricter with ourselves. If we do that, he comes back fine.

“He also recognises this is his career. He’s obviously got the Euros at the end of the season which he’s fighting to get fit for, as well as Aston Villa.

“So he’s mindful of everything and, as I say, the good thing for us is we know it’s not a long-term injury.

“Give it a couple of weeks of off his feet and we should see him back flying again soon.”

Villa were due to have defender Kortney Hause back available for Saturday’s trip to Liverpool, the former Wolves centre-back having not featured since January due to a foot injury.

Striker Wesley remains several weeks away from first-team contention as he completes the final stages of recovery from a long-term knee injury.

Smith, meanwhile, has confirmed Villa will sit down with their out of contract players in the coming weeks to discuss their futures.

Veteran full-back duo Ahmed Elmohamady and Neil Taylor are due to see their deals expire in the summer and it appears unlikely either will be offered fresh terms. The excellent form of Matt Targett means Taylor has made only one substitute Premier League appearance this season.

Villa are keen to keep hold of goalkeeper Tom Heaton and he is also set for discussions with sporting director Johan Lange.

The 34-year-old England international, who spent nearly a year on the sidelines with a serious knee injury, is currently second choice behind Emiliano Martinez but remains a hugely respected figure in the dressing room.

Heaton is expected to consider his options before deciding whether to accept Villa’s contract offer.