The controversy surrounding Jack Grealish's dishevelled appearance at a Manchester bar was put to rest on Thursday as the footballer returned to the gym. The Manchester City winger, currently on loan at Everton, stripped to his waist while working up a sweat on an exercise bike.
Grealish, 30, appeared to be putting significant effort into his continued recovery from a stress fracture in his left foot, after images of the footballer apparently passed out in a rooftop bar emerged online. The injury has ruled him out for the remainder of the season and effectively ended his already slender hopes of being included in England manager Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad.
Sharing a selfie with Instagram followers, Grealish pictured himself with his rapidly growing hair untied while preparing for what will likely be a long summer on the sidelines. Captioning the post, he wrote: 'April… Let me live hallelujah. Cannot wait to be back playing football.'
Responding to the post, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice - a certainty for Tuchel's World Cup squad, should he remain fit - shared a heart emoji. Former Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane and Newcastle United midfielder Jacob Ramsay - Grealish's former teammate at Aston Villa - also shared similar responses.
Daily Mail Sport recently revealed how Everton are growing in confidence that Grealish will be back with the club next season. Officials at Hill Dickinson Stadium are keen to retain the services of the on-loan Manchester City playmaker, who has a year remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium.
Grealish had been a revelation following his loan move, until injury cruelly ended his season in January. He has remained on Merseyside for a long period of rehabilitation after suffering a stress fracture to his foot - something those at the club believe to be a hugely positive sign.
The midfielder's £300,000-a-week wages could prove to be a stumbling block, although Everton managed to shell out around £12m to borrow him for a year and the club's financial position has improved significantly since their move to their impressive new stadium. An option to buy at £50m is thought to feature in the agreement, although Toffees bosses may well feel something in the region of £20m would be more in keeping for a player with 12 months left on their deal.
Manager David Moyes is thought to be keen to keep the attacking midfielder, who proved to be an instant hit with supporters. In his time in a blue shirt, he scored twice and provided six assists in 22 appearances and was a key part of what has so far been a much improved season which could end in European qualification.
Grealish appeared to be putting the hard yards into his continued recovery from a stress fracture in his left foot. The footballer's famous calves were on display as he worked on his fitness this week. Grealish was also popular in the dressing room and has impressed off the field, via his work with the club's community arm.
The footballer is back in the gym after pictures of the footballer purportedly asleep during an appearance at Manchester rooftop bar Stories on Saturday afternoon. An onlooker told The Sun: 'Pals tried to wake him. The booze must have caught up with him.'
In March, Grealish posted 12 pictures taken over the course of the month to Instagram, stating that he is 'working hard to be back better and stronger than ever'. The post showed that the England international initially wore a cast after his operation, but is now sporting a protective boot on a day-to-day basis. He also uses a knee scooter to help rest his leg during his downtime.
