Jack Grealish is finally nearing a first-team return after a long spell in the Aston Villa treatment room.

The Championship star has not played since the start of December since suffering a shin injury.

The attacker had been in a protective boot and has made steady progress to finally getting back to full fitness.

In his absence, the club have been on a poor run of form, winning just twice in the 13 games without his involvement.

With his recovery almost complete, Kortney Hause has been speaking to Aston Villa’s official site referring to Grealish as the “glue that sticks the dressing room together.”

The comments must put pressure on his shoulders to produce upon his return, but the 23-year-old needs to take the comments with a pinch of salt and focus on his return.

Villa have missed their talisman and Grealish will appreciate the comments, he must not let them get to him.

Being referred to as the glue keeping the squad together is quite a daunting comparison.

Dwelling on that could affect his game, and his comeback and in turn leave Villa to continue their rather indifferent form.

Acknowledgement is needed by Grealish from the comments – but that is all.

All his focus and thought should be aimed at making a potential comeback this weekend against Derby County in what is a must-win game if they want to continue to dream about a late play-off push.

And with the glue back in the side, hopefully, that will pull the team and the fans together as one and get them all back on the same page and back to winning ways.