ENGLAND star Jack Grealish's huge potential was there for all to see from the very start of his career.

That's the view of Colchester United head coach Hayden Mullins, who played alongside the talented midfielder.

Mullins was team-mates with Grealish when the pair were at Notts County, in the 2013-14 season.

While the vastly-experienced Mullins was edging towards the twilight of his decorated career at that stage in what proved to be his penultimate season as a professional, Grealish was just starting out on loan from Aston Villa.

The pair played together on several occasions, in what was Grealish's first full campaign as a professional.

And as Grealish prepares for England's big Euro 2020 quarter-final with Ukraine in Rome tonight, the U's boss says he always knew the Villa man would be a success.

Mullins said: “He was a fantastic young talent.

“He was very young; I think it was his first loan at the age of about 18.

“But what shocked me when I first saw him was the size of him and he’s a very big lad – you could see that he could handle teams.

“What really stood out about him was that he was so relaxed in his manner.

“He’s a cheeky lad and he likes a laugh and a joke but he was so relaxed and confident in his ability and freedom in his game.

“The way he wore his socks back then; you never saw anyone do that since the 70s or 80s!

“But he had that little bit about him; he almost looked scruffy but he had that real self-belief and confidence in himself and there’s freedom in the way he plays.

“He’s a strong boy and he’s hard to knock off the ball and when he runs with the ball, he’s got great skill and technique and he can make things happen.

“He carries the ball so well and he was like that at Notts County and had that belief in his ability – he was a good player and you knew that he would have a good career.

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Flashback - Jack Grealish celebrates scoring for Notts County at the JobServe Community Stadium, in 2013 Picture: STEVE BRADING

“He just wants to play football and he’s not afraid to take people on.

“He wants to go past people and he’s good enough to do that – that’s why he gets so many fouls.

“I remember them playing him right wing-back once and I thought ‘there’s no way he’s going to play at right wing-back at his age’.

“But he was strong enough, he handled it and he also took the ball and carried us up the pitch.

“You can imagine how much he enjoyed training – he wanted the ball the whole time.

“We also had a young lad there called Callum McGregor, who was also a young, fantastic player back then.

“He’s now captained Celtic and he scored the other night for Scotland.

“We had those two at the time and they were both fantastic young players.

“What’s so refreshing and good to see is that it’s the same Jack Grealish now as what I saw at 18.

“He wasn't scared to express himself and now he’s doing it on the biggest stage, at the Euros for his country and it’s the same Jack Grealish who played for Notts County.

“So many players go into Premier League and international football and the game becomes so much more about fine margins and not making mistakes, being consistent and earning your place in the team.

“But Jack just looks like he’s enjoying his football every time I see him.

“He never hides and he’s always positive when he gets it, which is fantastic to see."

Grealish is hoping to start for England tonight, having made a big impression as a second-half substitute against Germany in the last-16 clash at Wembley, on Tuesday night.

The 25-year-old had a hand in both of the Three Lions' goals in their 2-0 win - but Mullins was not surprised.

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Top talent - Jack Grealish in action for England Picture: NICK POTTS/PA WIRE

“He had a great impact coming off the bench against Germany and that’s him," said Mullins, who made nearly 700 career appearances as a player for the likes of West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Birmingham City.

“He wants the ball in those areas and he wants to try and play forward and run forward.

“That’s what happened with the goals; he gets involved and you want him in those areas.

“I’m surprised if I’m honest that he hasn’t started more games, because I do think he’s a player that can offer that freedom but (Bukayo Saka) has done well, (Raheem) Sterling needs to play and Kane picks himself with his goals.

“But I thought that other position could have been open for Jack and I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays against Ukraine."

Mullins says he is tracked Grealish's progress since those days they had together at Notts County and is delighted to see him doing so well.

“He’s done absolutely brilliant," said Mullins, who was appointed Colchester's permanent head coach in May.

“I saw him a couple of years ago when I was at Watford and he came to Vicarage Road with Villa and was captain, at that point.

“It struck me that he’d grown even more at that point into a man – his shoulders were bigger and his calves were huge and he’s a good athlete.

“For such a young man, he’s carried Villa’s hopes for a long time and perhaps it’s time for him to move on.

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Applause - U's boss Hayden Mullins is a former team-mate of Jack Grealish at Notts County Picture: STEVE BRADING

“He’s earned his move; he’s a Villa fan, he’s from Birmingham and he’s given them some good years.

“For me, I think he needs to kick on now and try and win leagues and trophies and play in the Champions League where you’d probably really see him develop into a world-class player."