Former Everton defender Alan Stubbs believes Jack Grealish will have benefited from the recent international break as the winger continues to find his match sharpness following his return to the club.
Grealish's return to Everton
Grealish rejoined Everton on a season-long loan from Manchester City on transfer deadline day last month. The England international became a firm favourite with supporters before a foot injury in January brought an early end to his previous loan spell.
Speaking via Goal, Stubbs praised Grealish's earlier form: "I thought when he came last year, he was excellent. He was really good. In the early part of the season, he was head and shoulders above anybody in terms of his quality."
Stubbs' verdict on fitness
Stubbs suggested the timing of the loan suited Everton financially: "I think this summer was always one of them where Everton were very comfortable with the situation. I think they were very comfortable where they were happy to let this be a very late addition because I think they were speaking to City, I think they were speaking to Jack and it suited Everton not to be paying two months of wages for him when they could have got him at the very end of the window."
He added: "So Jack's come back and I think, if anything, he was probably a little bit behind where David would have wanted him because of his lack of minutes with Man City in pre-season. And then he started to play in the last game or two. If I'm being honest, because I love Jack, he's looked a little bit rusty. He's still, I think, finding match sharpness."
Moyes' expectations
Stubbs concluded: "But I think this break would have done him the world of good. And I do expect, after the international break, we'll start to see more and more of Jack Grealish."
Everton manager David Moyes previously said of the 31-year-old: "Incredibly exciting if he gives us what he gave us at the start of last season. If we get that level from him then we'll be thrilled."
