Jack Grealish posted images from the first month of his battle to recover from a stress fracture to his left foot that is likely to rule him out of playing for Everton again this season
Jack Grealish acknowledges the fans after Everton's victory at his former club Aston Villa, which was his last game before injury(Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)View Image
Jack Grealish said he is “working hard to be back better and stronger than ever” as the on-loan Everton star continues his recovery from injury.
The 30-year-old shared pictures of his month on the sidelines as he posted an update on his fight to overcome a stress fracture to his foot on social media.
He underwent surgery on the issue in February after extensive deliberations led to the decision to operate on a problem that emerged in the aftermath of Everton’s win over Aston Villa.
Grealish played the full game at Villa Park as he led the Blues to an impressive win over Unai Emery’s side, one deemed to be in the title race at the time. His return to his boyhood club had produced another talismanic performance from the Manchester City loanee, who was crucial to Everton’s positive start to the season.
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As Grealish’s presence spurred on a new-look Blues side in their first campaign at Hill Dickinson Stadium, the club and manager David Moyes helped to rekindle his love for the game, he said, after a tough season at the Etihad.
His hopes of making a push for the England squad for this summer’s World Cup collapsed in the days after that win in the Midlands though - one that international boss Thomas Tuchel had been present for.
Grealish initially complained of a calf issue but then went on to detail pain in his left foot to club medics.
Further assessment revealed the stress fracture and an operation, after which Grealish posted: “Didn’t want the season to end like this but that’s football, gutted. Surgery done and now all focus on getting back fit. I know for sure I will come back fitter, stronger and better than before.
“The support I’ve had since coming to this unbelievable club has meant the world to me. The staff, my teammates and especially the fans have been incredible and I absolutely love representing this club.
“I’ll be backing the lads all the way and doing everything I can to get back as soon as possible. Thank you again for all the love, it means so much.”
Grealish is undergoing his recovery at Finch Farm and has remained an influential figure on the training ground, with Moyes recently stating: “Yeah, he's really popular as you can imagine, very popular.”
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Moyes said Grealish had been wearing a protective boot through the early weeks of his recovery but was progressing towards being able to step up his training by undertaking work in the swimming pool.
His latest photos show him working in the gym with his foot bandaged and, at times, in the boot alongside family photos and him using a special ‘knee’ scooter to stay mobile without having to put weight on his injured foot.