By Aoife Brennan|Edited by Robert Kavanagh|Fact-checked by Harry Whitmore|Published 21 Jun 2026 · 15:30|11 minJack Grealish has been sidelined since January 2026 after undergoing surgery for a foot stress fracture, an injury that ended his season with Everton and dashed any remaining hopes of an England recall ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The 30-year-old had shown flashes of the form that once made him one of the Premier League’s most coveted attacking midfielders, recording two goals and six assists in 17 Premier League appearances before the injury struck.
Current injury status: Jack Grealish is out for the remainder of the 2025–26 season after undergoing surgery on a stress fracture in his foot. · Surgery date: Late January 2026 · Club: On loan at Everton from Manchester City · Expected return: Summer 2026 (pre-season) · Injury type: Stress fracture in foot · Confirmed by: Everton manager David Moyes and Grealish’s own social media statements
Quick snapshot
- Grealish underwent surgery for a foot stress fracture in late January 2026. (Fox Sports)
- Everton manager David Moyes confirmed on 30 January 2026 that Grealish would miss the rest of the season. (Fox Sports)
- Grealish is on a season-long loan at Everton from Manchester City. (ESPN)
- Everton have not publicly confirmed whether the £50 million buy option remains active following the injury. (Fox Sports)
- The precise date of Grealish’s return to full training has not been specified by the club. (Transfermarkt)
- 18 Jan 2026: Injury reportedly sustained in Everton’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa. (Sports clip summary)
- 30 Jan 2026: Moyes confirms season-ending surgery required. (Fox Sports)
- 9 Feb 2026: Grealish confirms surgery on Instagram. (Fox Sports)
Why Is Jack Grealish Not Playing?
Grealish has been absent from Everton’s matchday squads since late January 2026, when a routine medical assessment revealed a stress fracture in his foot. Everton manager David Moyes confirmed at a press conference on 30 January 2026 that the injury required surgery, effectively ending Grealish’s season. The fracture was discovered during investigations into a separate calf complaint, according to Fox Sports.
What is the nature of Grealish’s injury?
The injury is a stress fracture in Grealish’s foot. Stress fractures in footballers typically result from repetitive loading rather than a single traumatic impact, and they often require surgical intervention to ensure proper healing. Fox Sports reported that the club discovered the fracture while evaluating Grealish for the calf issue that had been troubling him. Transfermarkt’s injury database records the recovery period at approximately 134 days, though this is an aggregate estimate rather than a club-confirmed timeline.
Who confirmed the injury and surgery?
Everton manager David Moyes publicly confirmed the injury and its season-ending implications at a press conference on 30 January 2026. Grealish himself subsequently confirmed the surgery via Instagram, posting: “Didn’t want the season to end like this but that’s football, gutted. Surgery done and now all focus on getting back fit.” Fox Sports reported both statements. ESPN corroborated the season-ending status and added that Grealish was 30 years old and had contributed two goals and six assists in his 17 Premier League appearances for Everton before the injury.
A foot stress fracture at elite competition level is rarely a straightforward recovery. Grealish’s situation is compounded by the fact that the fracture was found while investigating a separate calf problem — suggesting the foot may have been absorbing additional stress for some time before the diagnosis.
Did Jack Grealish Get Injured?
Yes, Grealish sustained a significant injury during the 2025-26 season. Multiple sources confirm that the injury was sustained during Everton’s 1-0 victory over Aston Villa on 18 January 2026, though the club’s official statement focused on the subsequent calf examination that revealed the stress fracture. A sports clip summary references the timeline, while Fox Sports and ESPN verified the injury and surgery details. For more context on Aston Villa’s recent form, that match proved consequential beyond its immediate result.
When did the injury occur?
The injury was reportedly sustained during Everton’s match against Aston Villa on 18 January 2026. Grealish continued playing in that match, and the foot problem was identified in subsequent medical assessments. Fox Sports noted that the stress fracture was discovered while Everton’s medical team was investigating the calf complaint that had been bothering Grealish.
What injury did Grealish suffer?
Grealish suffered a stress fracture in his foot, requiring surgery in late January 2026. Fox Sports reported the specific diagnosis, while ESPN confirmed the season-ending nature of the injury. FourFourTwo noted that Grealish’s output before the injury was two goals in 17 games, with the player having won Premier League Player of the Month for August after registering four assists.
The connection between the calf complaint and the foot fracture is worth monitoring. If Grealish was compensating for foot pain by altering his gait, it could have implications for how clubs assess his long-term durability — a factor that will matter when his Manchester City contract situation comes up for review.
How Long Is Grealish Out For?
Grealish is confirmed to be out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. Recovery timelines for foot stress fractures vary, but Transfermarkt‘s injury database records the recovery period at approximately 134 days. The club has not issued a specific return date, though ESPN reports Grealish is targeting pre-season training in summer 2026 as his return window. Understanding the broader Premier League context helps frame how such injuries affect squad planning across the competition.
When is Grealish expected to return?
Grealish is expected to return for pre-season training in summer 2026. ESPN reported in April 2026 that Grealish described his recovery as “going extremely well,” though this is not a medically confirmed timeline. Everton have not provided a specific date for his return to full training.
What is the recovery timeline after foot surgery?
Foot stress fracture surgery typically involves a period of protected weight-bearing followed by a gradual return to impact activities. Transfermarkt‘s 134-day estimate translates to roughly 4.5 months, which would place a full recovery in mid-to-late May 2026 — close to the end of the Premier League season. FourFourTwo reported the injury was described as potentially season-ending before surgery was confirmed, which aligns with the current situation.
Is Grealish Back at Man City?
Grealish is not currently at Manchester City — he remains on loan at Everton for the 2025-26 season. ESPN confirmed he joined Everton on a season-long loan from Manchester City in the summer of 2025. However, the injury raises questions about whether that arrangement will be affected. Fox Sports reported that Everton had a £50 million option to buy Grealish as part of the loan agreement, though it remains unclear whether that option survives the injury unscathed.
Where is Grealish currently based?
Grealish is currently based at Everton’s training facilities, continuing his rehabilitation. His Instagram posts from February 2026 showed him at Everton’s training ground, with the player stating: “I’ll be backing the lads all the way and doing everything I can to get back as soon as possible.” Fox Sports reported those comments.
What is his loan status with Everton?
Grealish is on a season-long loan at Everton from Manchester City. ESPN confirmed the loan terms, and Fox Sports reported the £50 million buy option. As of April 2026, ESPN reported that Grealish’s long-term future at Manchester City is uncertain but not yet resolved. Fox Sports also noted that Everton had signed Tyrique George from Chelsea on loan to cover Grealish’s absence for the rest of the campaign.
Why Is Grealish Not Playing for England?
Grealish has not been selected for any England squad since sustaining the injury in January 2026. The timing effectively ended any realistic chance he had of making Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. ESPN reported that the surgery ended even an outside chance of inclusion in England’s World Cup plans. No official England squad announcement has included Grealish since the injury occurred.
Did the injury affect his England call-up?
Yes. The injury occurred before any pre-World Cup training camps or matches that would have been used to evaluate squad candidates. ESPN specifically noted that the surgery ended Grealish’s outside chance of being selected for Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup.
What is his World Cup status?
Grealish will not be available for the 2026 World Cup due to his ongoing recovery from foot surgery. His last England appearance was prior to the injury, and he has not been included in any subsequent squads. ESPN confirmed the World Cup implications of the injury.
Confirmed vs. Unclear: What We Know and Don’t Know
Confirmed facts
- Jack Grealish had surgery for a foot stress fracture in late January 2026.
- He will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
- He is on loan at Everton from Manchester City.
- The injury was confirmed by Everton manager David Moyes and by Grealish himself on social media.
- He had two goals and six assists in 17 Premier League appearances before the injury.
Unclear
- Exact date of return to full training (only pre-season summer 2026 estimate available).
- Whether the £50 million Everton buy option remains active post-injury.
- Whether Grealish will return to Manchester City or stay at Everton after the loan ends.
- Whether Guardiola will attempt to reintegrate Grealish into Manchester City’s plans for 2026-27.
Key Facts and Recovery Outlook
Everton manager David Moyes addressed the injury publicly on 30 January 2026, calling it “a blow” while refusing to speculate on Grealish’s future at the club. Fox Sports reported his comments, noting that Moyes said it was “far too early” to make decisions about Grealish’s long-term future. Grealish himself posted on Instagram confirming the surgery and expressing his determination to return: “Surgery done and now all focus on getting back fit.” Fox Sports published those quotes.
Didn’t want the season to end like this but that’s football, gutted. Surgery done and now all focus on getting back fit.
— Jack Grealish, Everton forward (Fox Sports)
It is a blow to lose him. It is far too early to make decisions about his future.
— David Moyes, Everton manager (Fox Sports)
Prior to the injury, Grealish had shown promising form at Everton. FourFourTwo reported he had won Premier League Player of the Month for August after registering four assists. His output of two goals in 17 games was modest by his previous standards, but his creative contributions remained evident. ESPN noted that Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager, had previously said Grealish had been “rejuvenated” by the move to Everton, though Guardiola had not spoken to Grealish directly since the loan was completed in August 2025.
The impact has been massive since day one.
— Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager (ESPN)
The injury also raised questions about Everton’s squad planning. Fox Sports reported that Everton signed Tyrique George from Chelsea on loan to cover the remainder of the campaign. Sports Mole listed Grealish as out for Everton’s fixture against Manchester City, where he would have been ineligible to face his parent club anyway.
Grealish’s injury comes at a pivotal moment in his career. He has 12 months remaining on his Manchester City contract, and the £50 million buy option at Everton was reportedly part of the loan agreement. A season-ending injury before that option could be exercised complicates what was already a complex situation — and leaves both clubs with decisions to make before the 2026-27 season begins.
espn.com, gtxfoot.com, youtube.com, facebook.com, facebook.com, hayters.com, tendenciacentral.org
Frequently asked questions
Is Grealish playing tonight?
No. Grealish underwent foot surgery in late January 2026 and is confirmed to be out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. He has not been listed in Everton’s matchday squads since the injury was confirmed.
Why is Grealish not playing for England?
The foot stress fracture and subsequent surgery occurred before the England squad evaluations for the 2026 World Cup. ESPN reported that the injury ended even an outside chance of inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
Is Grealish on loan?
Yes. Grealish is on a season-long loan at Everton from Manchester City for the 2025-26 season. ESPN confirmed the loan arrangement. The loan reportedly includes a £50 million option to buy, though it is unclear whether that option survives the injury.
How long will Grealish be out for?
Grealish is out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. Transfermarkt’s injury database records a 134-day recovery window, while ESPN reports Grealish is targeting pre-season training in summer 2026 as his return.
Is Grealish back at Man City?
No. Grealish remains at Everton, continuing his rehabilitation at the club’s training facilities. His loan runs until the end of the 2025-26 season, and ESPN reported in April 2026 that his long-term future remains unresolved.
When did Grealish have the surgery?
Grealish underwent surgery in late January 2026. Fox Sports reported that Everton manager David Moyes confirmed the surgery was needed on 30 January 2026, and Grealish subsequently confirmed via Instagram that the procedure had taken place.
The Stakes Ahead
Grealish’s injury is more than a straightforward fitness setback. The 30-year-old entered the 2025-26 season on loan at Everton with a £50 million buy option, 12 months remaining on his Manchester City contract, and an outside chance of making England’s World Cup squad. The foot stress fracture and subsequent surgery have effectively closed all three windows simultaneously — at least for now.
Everton’s response to the injury has been measured. The club signed Tyrique George on loan from Chelsea as cover, signaling an intention to move forward rather than wait for Grealish’s return. Fox Sports reported that move, along with Moyes’s refusal to speculate on Grealish’s future until the recovery is further along. For Grealish, the immediate priority is clear: complete his rehabilitation and prove he can still perform at the highest level. Whether that happens at Everton, Manchester City, or elsewhere will depend on conversations that have not yet taken place.
For Everton, the decision on the buy option is not urgent — but it is inevitable. A £50 million commitment to a 30-year-old with a history-altering injury requires more data than is currently available. Moyes acknowledged as much when he said it was “far too early” to make calls. That patience will be tested once pre-season 2026 approaches and Grealish is back on the training pitch.
For Manchester City, the situation is simpler on paper: Grealish has 12 months left on his contract, and his market value has been complicated by the injury. Guardiola’s previous comments about Grealish being “rejuvenated” at Everton suggest the door was not entirely closed on a City future — but that door may have narrowed. The next 12 months will determine whether Grealish returns to Etihad discussions, finds a permanent home at Goodison Park, or explores other options entirely.
Aoife Brennan
Aoife Brennan is Match Coverage Editor at MatchWire. She plans and edits previews, reports and matchday liveblogs across Europe’s major leagues, and makes sure every match page tells readers what actually decided the game.
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