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Everton star Jack Grealish could be ruled out for months with a serious foot injury, dampening his hopes of playing at the World Cup. Grealish, 30, is due to see a specialist this week after suffering a suspected stress fracture.

That's despite the Manchester City loanee playing the full 90 minutes in Sunday's gritty 1-0 winagainst former club Aston Villa. Grealish had hoped to kick on in the second half of the season and break into the England squad ahead of this summer's tournament.

Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel will only name one more squad, for two friendlies in March, before deciding who'll travel to North America. Grealish is yet to play for England since Tuchel took charge a year ago.

The 30-year-old will now find it even tougher, as the Athletic report that he could be sidelined for a number of months. Everton have 16 games left, all in the Premier League after they were knocked out of the FA Cup earlier this month.

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Unless Everton activate their £50million option to buy him or negotiate another deal, Grealish will return to City. The Toffees are paying £250,000 of Grealish's £300,000-a-week salary and will want him back as soon as possible as they push to qualify for Europe.

With fierce competition in the wide forward areas, it's hard to see a route back into the England squad if Grealish doesn't play for a significant period between now and May. Tuchel is a fan, though.

"Jack knows that I see how influential he is for Everton and is on the way to being the best version of himself," the England boss said in October after leaving the former Villa captain out.

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Grealish was understanding and revealed that he'd spoken to Tuchel. "First of all you want to play well for your club because that's what we do every week but obviously you want to be in the England squad," Grealish told Sky Sports.

"But I do understand it. I spoke to the manager and I understand there's a lot of competition, especially in that left wing spot at the moment; Rashy's [Marcus Rashford] flying, [Eberechi] Eze, Anthony Gordon - everyone's doing so well. I can't really complain, it is what it is and hopefully I can keep performing and influencing games."

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