Aston Villa are likely to be busy in the January transfer window as injuries continue to affect Steve Bruce’s side.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce will be ruing his side’s luck as injuries continue to hinder their hunt for promotion from the Championship at the second time of asking, following their relegation in 2015-16.
The likes of Jonathan Kodjia, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Mile Jedinak, Scott Hogan and John Terry have all been sidelined in the first half of the season with long-term injuries at Villa Park.
It means that January recruitment is likely to occur next month, as the club look to add both depth and quality to Bruce’s side in order to assure their place in the top six of the division come May 2018.
It should see their attention turn towards free agent Steven Caulker, after the 26-year-old mutually agreed to terminate his contract at Loftus Road with Queens Park Rangers – a spell which has been ruined by the England defender’s off-the-field problems.
With Terry still sidelined and £3million signing Tommy Elphick hardly hitting the heights first expected of him following his move from Bournemouth, Villa could do with another centre-back and fans are unanimous in their decision.
Commanding defender Caulker showed huge signs of promise early on in his career, possessing the kind of talent that saw him earn an England cap and score on his debut in a 4-2 loss to Sweden.
Caulker has managed just two Championship appearances this season, missing the last 14 outings with Ian Holloway’s side and it remains to be seen what physical shape the centre-back is currently in.
But he is certainly worth taking a chance on, as he has shown already in his short career that he boasts the kind of quality required to get himself into the England team. Offloading Elphick and signing Caulker would be a top move.
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