‘Big blow’ – David Moyes confirms Jack Grealish injury to leave World Cup dreams in tatters

Jan 23, 2026 - 20:30

David Moyes has admitted it is a ‘big blow’ that Jack Grealish has suffered a broken foot that could rule him out for the rest of the season.

The 30-year-old, who is on a season-long loan at Everton from Manchester City, sustained a stress fracture in his foot against his old club, Aston Villa.

Grealish, who played the full match against Aston Villa, was hoping to join Morgan Rogers in the England squad

Grealish, who has scored two goals and provided six assists from 20 Premier League outings, played the full 90 minutes in Everton‘s 1-0 win at Villa Park last weekend.

However, the England star was sent to a specialist on Monday, with talkSPORT revealing he was diagnosed with a stress fracture.

It comes as a hammer blow for Everton, whose loan agreement with Man City included a £50million option to buy, and Grealish himself.

The Three Lions’ 39-cap international had been making a late push for an England recall to Thomas Tuchel‘s squad ahead of the World Cup.

Moyes unsure about Grealish return

“It’s not for me to give the timescales, and we’ve not got it yet from the doctors,” Moyes told a press conference on Friday.

“He’s got a stress-fracture in his foot, that’s all I can tell you.

“It’s a big blow because he’s been hugely important to us since the start of the season, he’s played a big part in the team.

“Look, we’ve had a few injuries, but this is a big blow to us.

“We’re in close contact with Manchester City, so we’ll see how that works as we go along, and as we get more decisions from the specialists.”

Moyes says it is a ‘big blow’ that Grealish is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines

Grealish injury ‘adds to Everton thinking’

On a more positive note, the Toffees have tied down James Garner to a long-term contract, with their absentee list otherwise reduced.

Jarrad Branthwaite, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Carlos Alcaraz have all returned to training, yet Michael Keane is still suspended.

Both Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye returned from winning AFCON with Senegal on Friday, but Grealish’s absence remains a huge blow.

“It’ll add to our thinking (in the window), that’s for sure,” Moyes added on whether Everton will now attempt to sign a new winger.

“Getting them is a different story, but it’ll add to our thinking to see if there’s anything out there that we could do or consider.”

Asked whether Grealish’s injury will also impact the chance of Everton making his transfer permanent in the summer, Moyes said: “We’re not thinking about it at the moment.