There will be frustration too, as Grealish is a hugely popular within Everton's dressing room as well as with staff in every area of the club. He has been described as "a lad with a heart of gold, kind and charming, who actually loves being here".

This was illustrated when he recently made a £10,000 donation to a GoFundMe page for Everton fan Leon Skapars, 36, a father of three who has been diagnosed with cancer.

The family are raising money in a search for treatment options, and Skapars' wife Crystal said: "In that moment, Jack gave our whole family something we desperately needed, hope. What he has done for our family is something we will never forget. It makes us feel incredibly emotional."

Grealish also appeared to present awards at the Daily Mirror's 'Pride Of Britain' event recently, saying: "Footballers are classed as heroes - but these are the real heroes."

On Friday, Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca refused to discuss Grealish's actions at Everton, but did praise his character.

Maresca said: "It's not correct to talk about Jack in this moment, first of all because he is an Everton player and secondly because I don't have all the information.

"I still think he is a good guy and has a big heart."

In April, Grealish extended his role as principal ambassador to Special Olympics Great Britain for a further three years, having first joined in 2022.

Grealish marked the occasion by hosting five of the 10 Special Olympics GB athletes who completed the London Marathon at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium, surprising the athletes with a VIP experience, a stadium tour and spending time with them pitchside.

Those at Everton also regard Grealish as one of the first to engage with their community programme at Finch Farm, as well as meeting with the Everton in the Community Down Syndrome team.

Grealish often talks about the inspiration he takes from his sister Hollie, who has cerebral palsy.

He has, however, hit the headlines in less welcome circumstances over the years, and this latest incident ushered in more.

In April, Grealish was pictured asleep at a Manchester rooftop bar surrounded by drinks. It was a scene that is certainly not against the law but was at best unwise, especially with ever-present phone cameras around and the fact he was in rehabilitation from injury.

In March 2020, he was fined by his club Aston Villa and apologised publicly after breaking lockdown guidelines during the pandemic after leaving his house to visit a friend.

In November 2020, he admitted two counts of careless driving relating to two incidents in which a Citroen van and a Mercedes were damaged.

And yet, speak to most people in football - certainly at Everton - and the character references are unfailingly glowing about his outgoing personality and kind-hearted gestures, making his breach of discipline even more painful for his many admirers.

But after this latest setback, Grealish is running out of time and opportunities to justify that continued support.