Thursday 27 September 2018 13:51, UK
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has backed Jack Grealish to play for England, and insists an international call-up must be the next aim for the midfielder.
Grealish recently signed a new five-year deal at Villa Park, despite having two years left to run on his previous deal.
The 23-year-old has emerged as a key player for Villa, and was subject to interest from Tottenham during the summer transfer window.
Bruce now believes England is the next step for Grealish, and admitted the player was mentioned briefly to Gareth Southgate during Liverpool's Carabao Cup match with Chelsea.
Bruce attended the match alongside Southgate, and feels it is "obvious" that Grealish is going to attract more attention.
"I'm not going to tell Gareth how to do his job, my job is hard enough at the minute. Certainly he [Grealish] came up in the conversation, the conversation was only brief," Bruce said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Villa's trip to Bristol City.
"So that's got to be his next challenge and his next step up. People are always watching him, that's going to be obvious.
"Now we need Jack to find the form that got him a new deal and attracted the bids like he did in the summer... for me he was the standout player in all of the Championship last season.
"Ability-wise nobody can question him."
Bruce hinted Yannick Bolasie could make his first Villa start in the upcoming match with Bristol City, in which victory could send them as high as fourth.
"Whether it's tomorrow or Tuesday, it's imminent," said Bruce of Bolasie's inclusion, while confirming the rest of his squad are in good condition.
Bristol City will host Aston Villa on Friday, September 28, live on Sky Sports Football via the red button.
