Sunday 20 May 2018 09:55, UK
Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish says he was "scared" after suffering a life-threatening injury during a pre-season friendly.
Grealish's kidney was split in two places following a challenge by former team-mate Watford midfielder Tom Cleverley, and he was told by a surgeon he "could die".
The 22-year-old, who is set to play at Wembley against Fulham in the Championship play-off final on May 26, live on Sky Sports, says he came back from the injury "a different person".
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, he said:"I took a kick to the kidney and it split in two places. It was pouring with blood, internally, for about five hours.
"It's the worst pain I've ever been in. I went to Heartlands hospital in Birmingham. They found out what it was and I was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth for an operation. Before it happened, the surgeon had to tell me the consequences of what could happen if it didn't work.
"He looked me in the eye and said, 'Jack, you could die'. My reply was, 'What?'
"I was genuinely scared. I was expecting to be back inside a week, but it was three or four months."
He added: "I'm a big believer that everything happens for a reason. I came back from that injury a different person."
Grealish paid tribute to Steve Bruce who who supported him during his time in hospital, and says he will dedicate any winning goal against Fulham to the Villa boss.
He added: "He (Bruce) is such a nice bloke, and one of the best, if not the best, managers I've played for.
"When I was in hospital, he came to see me twice and he Facetimed me every other day to see how I was. You remember stuff like that and if I do end up scoring the winner, I'll dedicate it to him."
