A decision on whether Jack Grealish returns to face Tottenham on Sunday will be made by one man – Jack Grealish.
The playmaker has missed Aston Villa’s last five games, during which time the Villans have picked up just five points.
His omission from Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad fuelled fears his shin injury could be worse than first thought.
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However, Grealish has returned to training at the club’s Bodymoor Heath base.
And manager Dean Smith confirmed the Villa skipper is in contention to face Spurs at the weekend, provided the player himself is happy.
Smith said: “I’m hopeful for Jack. I will leave it until Sunday morning. He’s not trained with us at the moment but he’s pain-free and running.
“Ultimately, it will be his decision. I’m hopeful but if he doesn’t play then I can certainly guarantee he’ll be pretty much ready to return for the Fulham game after the international break (April 3).
“I know Aston Villa fans will be fretting that it’s a long-term injury, It’s not a long-term injury as I’ve said. It’s always been one where we’ve been guided by Jack who’s been suffering the pain.
“I’m hopeful but we will leave that until as late as we can. He hasn’t trained with the group. He’s been running and can strike a ball. But he hasn’t trained and I’ll sit down and see if he can train tomorrow or not.”
Smith was keen to stress nothing further should be read into Grealish’s omission should he fail to make the Spurs game.
“He’s had a shin injury. He’s pain-free now. I’m hopeful for Sunday and I keep stressing this; it’s not a long-term injury. I can 99.9 per cent say he’ll be definitely back for Fulham if he doesn’t make Sunday.
“It’s just been one of them things where we’ve had to pull him out for a number of games.”
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