Aston Villa boss Dean Smith provides fitness update on Jack Grealish

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Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish could be back in the first-team fold sooner rather than later.

Dean Smith has told Aston Villa’s official website that Jack Grealish has been asking him to arrange a friendly match for him already.

Grealish is due to return to the training pitch next week, when he will be able to run again.

The playmaker has been out of action since the start of December with a shin injury.

But Smith has suggested that Grealish is now edging closer to making a comeback into Villa’s team.

And the 23-year-old is raring to go, as he looks to get back to full fitness as quickly as possible.

Smith said: “He’s due to go outside and run next week. That’s a big positive for him and us.

“When he gleefully told me today that he was due to go out and run next week he said ‘you can arrange a game for me then as well’. He’s very keen to get out on the pitch and he’s got an enthusiasm to get out playing. We’ll certainly have to have the reins on him, but I want him back as soon as we can as well.”

Villa’s form has dipped badly with Grealish, and they have won just one game during his lengthy absence.

The claret and blues are now playing catch up in the race for the play offs, with concerns rising around Villa Park.

Villa are next in action against bottom of the league Ipswich Town on Saturday.