Kortney Hause was full of praise for Jack Grealish, calling the Aston Villa midfielder “a real special talent” and a “true game-changer”. The 23-year-old has been sidelined with a shin injury since December 7 and is expected to make his long-awaited return against Stoke City on Saturday afternoon.
Grealish has been missed, with Villa picking up only two league wins in the three months he’s been absent for. The Midlands outfit are currently seven places and eight points off the playoffs as a result of their poor form too. As a result, Hause says it’s “superb news” that the playmaker is set to return.
The defender said in an interview with Villa’s official website: “It’s superb news to get him back. He’s such a good player – honestly a real special talent. I played for England with him, too, before I arrived here at Aston Villa. He’s my good friend. I have known him for quite a few years. Everyone knows what he can do. He’s a true game-changer.”
Grealish has made 21 Championship appearances this season, scoring and creating six goals. The England u21 international’s last game for Villa was against West Bromwich Albion. He was substituted late on due to the injury, but it wasn’t treated as serious initially.
Dean Smith admitted he’d been trying to bring the midfielder back early but was stopped by the medical team. Grealish is finally fit and available for selection, however, and could be handed a start against Derby.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Defensive-midfielder turned down Aston Villa to join Championship rivals in January
