Dean Smith is holding out hope that Aston Villa will be able to unleash Bertrand Traore on Wolves in Saturday’s Midlands derby after sustaining an injury while on international duty.
The forward developed a thigh problem while with Burkina Faso for their recent World Cup qualifiers, via Birmingham Live. The issue stopped Traore from featuring for Kamou Malo’s Les Etalons in either Group A meeting with Djibouti.
Traore has now not represented his country in their last five fixtures, since a friendly with Ivory Coast in June. The 26-year-old is also yet to start a Premier League match after four substitute appearances for just 53-minutes this season.
Smith remains hopeful that Traore will be available to play some role when Aston Villa host rivals Wolves on Saturday. The Villans boss shared on Friday that the club’s medical team were still assessing the £78k-a-week forward’s fitness.
“He picked up a bit of a thigh injury, which the medical staff are assessing at the moment,” Smith said. “He didn’t train with us yesterday. I’m not sure if he’ll make it tomorrow, I’m waiting for the okay from the medical staff.”
Traore a gameday decision for Aston Villa after injury
Traore’s involvement for Aston Villa against Wolves will likely be a gameday decision for Smith after assessing his thigh injury. The Birmingham-based outfit’s £17m signing from Lyon in 2020 will likely also only occupy a back-up role if deemed fit.
Smith has favoured Traore offering Aston Villa an impact from the bench in their recent fixtures. His limited minutes in matches has mostly dictated his involvement in games, but posed a threat against Tottenham Hotspur.
Traore’s runs straight at defenders posed problems for Spurs, and he delivered a dangerous cross which Hugo Lloris palmed clear. The 57-cap forward also looked threatening against Chelsea in the EFL Cup, moving around the attack, connecting play and creating chances.
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