Steven Gerrard has landed a big injury boost ahead of Aston Villa hosting Southampton this Saturday as Bertrand Traore has returned to full training, according to Birmingham Live.
Traore has so far only featured twice under Gerrard since the England icon replaced Dean Smith at Villa Park. The Burkina Faso forward began the Villans’ new era in the treatment room with a thigh problem, and returned to sidelines in February with a hamstring injury.
He sustained a hamstring gripe upon returning to Villa Park from representing his country at the Africa Cup of Nations. Gerrard stated his ‘frustration’ at losing Traore once again to injury at the time, as the 26-year-old also suffered a groin problem earlier in the campaign.
Gerrard may now be set to enjoy having Traore at his disposal for a prolonged period after returning to training. The £17m former Lyon star has taken full participation in the Villan’s first-team sessions at Bodymoor Heath since this Tuesday ahead of facing Southampton.
Traore’s return leaves Marvelous Nakamba as Gerrard and Aston Villa’s only player absent through injury for Southampton’s visit to Birmingham. Carney Chukwuemeka had sustained a slight knock that kept him from facing Brighton, but should be available at the weekend.
Traore return hands Gerrard and Aston Villa injury boost for Southampton clash
Traore returning to full training ahead of facing Southampton is a big injury boost for Aston Villa. His presence at Bodymoor Heath will also thrill Gerrard, having vented his frustration at the 60-cap forward’s latest issue, having only fielded him for 97-minutes in two games.
The attacker had also targeted a return to training in mid-February and potentially feature at Brighton last week. But he failed to shake off the hamstring gripe in time for the Villans’ 2-0 win at the Amex Stadium. The Seagulls clash was just their second win in nine games.
Gerrard could now build on Aston Villa beating Brighton with Traore returning from injury to help beat Southampton on Saturday. The forward – who Smith labelled ‘immense’ – is yet to score so far this season, but offered eight goals and provided seven assists last term.
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