Aston Villa boss Dean Smith provides update on Jack Grealish after 'bitty' draw with QPR
Dean Smith admits Jack Grealish is unlikely to return until February as the Villa star continues to battle a shin injury.
The 23-year-old ace has not featured since limping out of last month’s 2-2 draw at Albion.
Despite now being out of a protective boot and pain free, Smith has conceded Grealish may miss another month.
He said: “It’s one that can’t be rushed. In my head I’ve ruled Jack out until February.
"We’re just waiting to see if it’s healed any quicker.
"Any team that loses the best player in the Championship will suffer from that."
Smith also confirmed Villa will be without Orjan Nyland for the rest of the season after the goalkeeper ruptured his Achilles.
The boss was bullish, though, on the future of Tammy Abraham, after reports the striker will ask parent club Chelsea to cut short his season-long loan.
Abraham netted his 15th and 16th goals of the season in the 2-2 draw with QPR and Smith said: “I think Tammy has shown no inclination of that (asking to go back). He is developing as a player.
“He is a very happy and you can see the connection he has with the players, supporters and staff here.
“Chelsea seem very happy as well because he is developing as a player.
“For all three parties it is a win-win. I would be amazed if anything happened to stop that.”
The draw with the R’s left Villa win-less in four at home and still five points off the play-offs.
“It's a game we know we should have won,” said Smith. “We started really well, got a really good goal from Tammy.
“But we came off it then. They scored out of nothing. We didn't defend a long ball well enough and the lad sticks one in the top corner. The game went very bitty after that.
“The lads showed great character but it's a game which has got away from us.”
