Dean Smith confirms Jack Grealish will make Aston Villa return against Derby
Villa have been handed a major boost after boss Dean Smith confirmed Jack Grealish will return for Saturday’s home game with Derby.
The 23-year-old, who has not played since early December, is back in full training and could even start against the Rams.
Villa have won just two out of 13 Championship fixtures in his absence, leaving their play-off hopes dangling by the tiniest of threads.
Smith said: “This gives everyone a boost. It has been well documented that results-wise it has not been good. I don’t put that just down to Jack.
“He’s trained well so is available for selection. Whether he starts or not, we will wait and see but he has trained well enough. He is pushing for a starting spot on Saturday.
“I have said before I believe he is the best player in the league and any team that loses a player of that quality would suffer.
“We have suffered a little bit through Jack’s loss. It will be nice to have him back.”
Smith, who will also have Tom Carroll back available for Saturday’s game, remains hopeful Alan Hutton will play again this season after the veteran Scot suffered a knee injury in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Stoke.
Hutton was forced off after just six minutes having damaged his MCL but a scan has since revealed the injury to not be as serious as first feared.
“We thought he might have ruptured his MCL,” said Smith. “It is not a full rupture but he has certainly over-stretched that area.
“He is going to be out for a number of weeks and we will have to monitor it and see how he is.
“I am hoping we will have him back before the end of the season.
“The early signs weren’t good but the MRI scan has suggested it is not a full rupture, which is good news for him and everyone else. We are positive we can get him back before the end of the season.”
