BACKING FOR GREALISH

AIDY BOOTHROYD has urged Jack Grealish not to wallow in his recent problems and enjoy his football again.

Grealish is set to start for England Under 21s in their final European Championship qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Walsall today.

England booked their place at next summer’s finals in Poland by beating Kazakhstan last week, with the Aston Villa midfielder missing through injury.

The 21-year- old made headlines for the wrong reasons once again last month when Sportsmail revealed his involvement in a rowdy all-night party in a Birmingham hotel. It came after he was pictured inhaling nitrous oxide — so-called ‘hippy crack’ — last year.

But Boothroyd, who is serving as interim manager following Gareth Southgate’s promotion to the seniors, urged him to focus on his potential.

He said: ‘It is important that he gets back on the horse and doesn’t wallow in the issues. He doesn’t wallow too long in anything. He is upbeat, has plenty to say, has a lovely personality. He is playing for his country and he has to make sure he stays in this group.

‘He’s been brilliant, he’s a terrific guy and we’ve had no problems whatsoever. The past is the past.’

Boothroyd has also challenged Leicester City winger Demarai Gray to follow in the footsteps of Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard and forge a path to the first team for club and country.

Boothroyd said of Gray: ‘He has grown — physically and mentally. He wants to get better and improve his game and he is a real handful. Lingard is a good example — he got back into his club side and earned his spot against Malta.’