Grealish could be out for the rest of the year
JACK Grealish is still in hospital and may not play again this year. The 21-year-old damaged his kidney in the pre-season draw with Watford on Saturday and was expected to be sidelined for between two and three months.
But Villa manager Steve Bruce, who visited the England Under-21 ace this week, said he feared an even longer spell out.
“It could be,’’ he said. “He’s poorly. I went to see him in hospital. (It will be three months) at least.”
Bruce also revealed how Villa had been working all summer on a formation to get the best out of the No.10.
Grealish started in an attacking midfield role behind Gabby Agbonlahor as the lone striker and Bruce was considering that system for the season-opener against Hull City.
“My system in pre-season was geared around Grealish and how to get the best out of him,’’ he confirmed.
“He came back flying, which was good to see after he’d been away with England.
“So that’s a bit of a disappointment for us, but that’s football. He’s still in hospital and things aren’t great.
“We hope he has a speedy recovery, of course.”
Jonathan Kodjia could miss the first six games of the season as he continues his comeback from injury.
The 27-year-old goal ace suffered a broken ankle in the penultimate game of last term and has been slowly building his way back up to full fitness.
He hasn’t featured all preseason and Bruce reckons he will be out for at least another month.
“We think a month to six weeks for Kodjia, but the sooner the better,” he said. A possible return date could be the home fixture with Brentford on September 9.
“With losing Jack this week, all of a sudden now, we’re without some of our best players,’’ added Bruce.
“Our best players, by far, last year were Kodjia and (Mile) Jedinak by a million miles, in my opinion. And we’re without them, so we’re going to have to make sure we get off to a good start without them.”
Jedinak could be back within two weeks. He’s been training with Kodjia but away from the main group as he works his way back from a groin operation.
Albert Adomah’s shin injury is almost healed while Sam Johnstone is expected to be fit for the weekend.
Despite Villa’s injury situation, Bruce is still looking forward to the start of a new Championship campaign, which has been given extra spice by the fact Villa’s first opponents are the manager’s former club. He will go head-to-head with the Tigers for the first time since leaving a year ago.
“It was written in the stars, wasn’t it?” said Bruce. “For me, personally, it’s a great game for us. It’s a tough start, you only need to look at our first month to be reminded of how tough it is.
“We are at home, live on the TV, and I would think it might be near enough a full house – you might think that would be on the cards now bearing in mind who we have signed (John Terry). I’m looking forward to it immensely, it’s my old club and those games always have that little bit of an edge.”