Jack Grealish
Chris Wilder joked earlier today that he hoped ‘the best player in England’ is not available for tomorrow’s match as Sheffield United entertain Aston Villa. And asked about the prospect of facing the England international tomorrow,
Chris Wilder joked: “I hope Jack [Grealish] doesn’t play. Have another day off Jack and return at the weekend, because I think he is the best player in England.”
And Wilder will be pleased to learn he has been ruled out of tomorrow’s clash.
Dean Smith said: “Jack will still be out for this game. He’s still got pain on a particular movement he’s got. He could be training by the end of the week and I’m hopeful on that.”
The two sides have been involved in some entertaining and controversial matches in recent seasons, from a six-goal thriller at Villa Park in the promotion campaign to the controversy of their last two visits – last season’s ‘ghost goal’ to this season’s sending off of John Egan. However, Wilder admitted he has a soft spot for tomorrow’s opponents, who he describes as a ‘brilliant club with fabulous supporters’.
Chris Wilder added: “I went to watch them in Play-Off Final against Derby. I was late and got caught up entering with the Villa fans. I think they are a brilliant club, with fabulous supporters. They are huge and I think only people in football realise how big they are. I am delighted for Dean and Jack for them to be in the Premier League, with their hometown club. There’s a connection there like between me and Sharpy. They have given it a right go. If someone’s watch was turned on something else might have happened, but they have built from that and are having a fabulous season.”
Dean Smith’s side were sweating on the availability of Jack Grealish this morning at the time of Wilder’s Sheffield United press conference. The midfielder has been nursing a leg injury for the past couple of weeks but there was a possibility he could return.
