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| Jack Grealish is back in contention for Aston Villa's trip to Crystal Palace |
TIM SHERWOOD has backed teenage star Jack Grealish to put his hell-raising days behind him.
Sherwood has handed the 19-year-old with the boy-band looks a fresh start after a series of headline-hitting indiscretions.
And as he prepared his team to go to Crystal Palace today, he has assured Grealish's legion of followers: "I know the fans love him, but they don't love him more than me."
The Villa boss admitted he has got a love-hate relationship with the youngster who he tips to have a massive future in the game having had his patience pushed to the limit by his off-field antics.
Grealish was caught on film appearing to inhale 'hippy crack' and then got on the wrong side of the Villa boss after being pictured face down in the street on holiday in Tenerife.
He was also snapped with a £1,000 bottle of vodka at his side as he relaxed on holiday with pals.
The youngster is back in contention for a return to the Villa side at Crystal Palace tomorrow after missing the start of the season through injury. And Sherwood says he will welcome back Grealish with open arms because he is a rare talent.
"I love him to death and I hate him at the same time!" said Sherwood. "I want to nurture him to fulfil his potential. Hopefully the penny has dropped with him. I will back him 100 per cent."
Palace have also had an awkward employee in the shape of Jason Puncheon but manager Alan Pardew says he has turned his career around to become an increasingly important figure head for Crystal Palace's black players.
"Punch has made his mistakes in his career, and has had to learn how to become a good professional because for a time he did not live his life right," said Pardew.
"He has matured and made the effort to change things, and as a result has become a figurehead for young black players by pointing them in the right direction.
"It may have taken him a long time, but the penny began to drop at Southampton when he discovered he could become a success and his ability shone through.
"He has had a guidance role for young black players and they can see what can be achieved by changing a certain lifestyle.
"As a former player I would have seen players made mistakes, as a manager you put the picture in front of them and hope they grasp it.
"I worked with him at Southampton and brought him to Selhurst Park and now I believe he is good enough to be called up by his country for international duty."
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