ENGLAND star Jack Grealish has donated £2,000 towards a fund to help former Colchester United defender Lewis Kinsella recover from a serious knee injury.

Kinsella, who made 29 appearances for the U's between 2016 and 2018, ruptured his medial collateral ligament in a victory over Ebbsfleet United earlier this month and needs surgery.

The 26-year-old was at Aston Villa’s academy with Grealish and the pair played together at various age group levels, at Villa Park.

Grealish has chipped into the fund set up for the Aldershot Town defender, who set up a GoFundMe page with a target of £10,000 for the operation and rehab.

Kinsella has set up the fund to ease the financial burden on the non-league club, after they paid the cost of surgery.

Writing on his GoFundMe page, Kinsella said: "It makes me really sad to be writing this but on Saturday against Ebbsfleet I re ruptured my MCL and now need surgery that will put me out for another 6 months.

"And this is after already being out for 6 months with what should have been a 3 month injury.

"This is after doing everything right during the lockdown and getting myself in shape for the season.

"On a positive note the operation will almost guarantee I won’t do this injury again and I will be back fighting fit!

"As you are all aware finances are tight for non league clubs and Aldershot are no different.

"I have decided to set up a Go Fund me page in an attempt to raise some money to pay the club back for the operation and fund the rehabilitation to get me back as quickly and as “fixed” as possible.

"It has been a horrendous time for non league clubs and I would like to do as much as I can to help the club financially as they have done for me over the last 3 years!

"The donations would make a huge difference not only to the clubs finances but allowing me to see the best people to get this knee fixed once and for all.

"I would be grateful for as much or as little you could spare.

"From a very grateful Lewis Kinsella."

If you would like to donate and help Lewis Kinsella, go to his GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/lewis-kinsellas-operation-and-rehab