Lovre Kalinic fell injured in Aston Villa’s defeat by West Brom today.
Dean Smith has told Aston Villa’s official website that he doesn’t feel Lovre Kalinic will be a long-term absentee.
The Croatian goalkeeper was taken off by Smith midway through Aston Villa’s 2-0 defeat by West Brom and was replaced by Jed Steer.
The Villans’ manager has revealed that Kalinic – a £7 million signing in January [The Telegraph] – suffered a head injury, but believes he’ll be back soon.
“He got a whack on the head. He’s come from a league where the goalkeepers are a lot more protected than they are here,” he told Aston Villa’s official website.
“He’s caught one on the head and suffered a bit of dizziness, so we’ve had to bring him off.
“I don’t think it’ll be one that keeps him out for long, but I need to speak with the medical team.”
It’s a big relief for Smith.
Kalinic, despite conceding six goals in his first two games in the West Midlands, is a good goalkeeper and the last thing the former Brentford boss needs is another injury.
Consequence of the defeat, Villa are now seven points adrift of the playoff places, though that extend to 13 if Middlesbrough win both of their games in hand.
Today was a must-win game for Smith’s side but it looks very, very improbable that they’ll be in the mix for Premier League promotion come the end of the season.
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