'He's answered' - Man City given clear Jack Grealish benefit

Stuart Pearce hailed Lee Carsley for getting ‘hurting’ Jack Grealish back to his best.

Manchester City ace Grealish, 29, netted the opener in England’s 3-1 Nations League win against Finland last weekend after being left out of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad in the summer. The current City man was vocal in his disappointment with that decision but after an energetic all-action performance in Helsinki, looks to be relishing his role back on the international stage.

Interim head coach and Birmingham-born Carsley, who will be succeeded by Thomas Tuchel in January, brought Grealish back into the fold and has helped restore his confidence after a difficult few months. Carsley, 50, has come under criticism for his muddled messages with the media when it came to discussing his desire to succeed Southgate on a permanent basis.

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But after Tuchel’s appointment was confirmed earlier this week, former Manchester City boss Pearce insists Grealish’ return to form has been a significant positive from his temporary time in the hotseat.

“When you’ve been left out of a major tournament it’s quite hurtful,” said Pearce, speaking as an ambassador of Pitching In around their Volunteer of the Season Award. “I understand that – and it’s happened to me in the past when I missed the 1998 World Cup.

“Lee Carsley deserves a lot of credit – last month, he brought Jack into the squad and started him. There’s real frustration for him but he’s answered that in the right way – his form’s been good and he looks like he’s really enjoying his work for England especially.

“He’s getting on