Dean Smith has told the Birmingham Mail that Bertrand Traore will not be fit to play for Aston Villa against Arsenal on Sunday.
Villa had been hoping that Traore would be available to play some part in their fixture at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.
However, the wide-man has been assessed and is still not fit enough to play a part.
“Bertrand came off and he’ll be struggling for Sunday, he won’t make it,” said Smith. “He’ll definitely be back after the international break.”
Traore is yet to make much of an impact at Villa since arriving in the summer transfer window.
The Burkina Faso international has largely been used as a substitute so far, and is yet to contribute with either a goal or an assist.
If he had been fit his pace could have been useful against a tiring Arsenal defence late on, though.
Villa have now lost their last two matches on the bounce, but if they could beat Arsenal this weekend then they may could move up as high as second again, if other results go in their favour.
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