Alan Hutton is nearing a return to the first-team fold at Aston Villa.
Hutton has missed Villa’s last three matches with injury, but he is pushing towards fitness again now.
The Scottish full-back could be back involved in Villa training next week, meaning he could still have a part to play in the run in.
“Hopefully we’re training at the back end of next week. That’s what I’ve just been told this morning,” Bruce said.
Hutton’s return comes at a good time for Villa, with their defensive injury problems mounting.
Axel Tuanzebe and John Terry both picked up knocks in the claret and blues’ last match, and are set to miss Friday evening’s game against Leeds.
When Hutton does return it remains to be seen whether he will be thrown straight back into Villa’s line-up.
Hutton had looked to have established himself as the club’s first choice left-back, before injury struck.
If Villa can beat Leeds on Friday night, without Hutton involved, they could still put pressure on second placed Fulham, as they cling on to the hope of breaking into the automatic promotion spaces.
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