England U-21 boss says Jack Grealish must leave problems in the past
Interim England Under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd insists Jack Grealish must forget about his past problems.
The midfielder, who previously played for the Republic of Ireland at underage level, is expected to start in England U21's final Group 9 game against Bosnia at Walsall on Tuesday, with the team having qualified for Euro 2017.
Grealish was suspended for a game by Villa last month for his part in a raucous hotel party in Birmingham having already been banned from the first team for two weeks last season after clubbing in Manchester following a 4-0 defeat to Everton.
In 2015 he was also pictured passed out in the street on holiday in Tenerife.
@JackGrealish1 had a great night, opposite my apartment in the wonderful tenerife 😂 pic.twitter.com/CDecFX80kw
— Briony King (@brionyking0913) June 14, 2015
Since his last club ban Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo has been sacked with Villa 19th in the Championship and, after a difficult start to the season, Boothroyd wants Grealish to move on as he prepares for a west midlands international homecoming.
He said: "It is important that they get back on the horse and don't wallow in it.
"He doesn't wallow too long in anything. He is upbeat, has plenty to say for himself, has a lovely personality and he is playing for his country and he has to make sure he stays in this group.
"The other good thing is the competition for places, really good. It is a good place for a coach to be. He's been brilliant, he's a terrific guy and we've had no problems whatsoever. All of them are very easy to work with.
"He comes in, trains and the past is the past. It's about dealing with the present and focusing on the future. He is training hard, working well and we move on."
Grealish missed Thursday's 1-0 win in Kazakhstan with an ankle injury as the England wrapped up their spot for next year's European Under-21 Championship in Poland.
They are unbeaten in qualifying and Boothroyd, in charge with Gareth Southgate taking the senior side, has warned his players against switching off.
He added: "I think it is human nature, but for winning humans it's something that you've got to keep doing.
"The players know that and we've talked about that a lot."
