Aston Villa play host to Midland rivals and Championship leaders Wolves on Saturday evening.
Steve Bruce will be without influential midfield leader Glenn Whelan for Aston Villa’s visit of Wolves on Saturday following a calf injury sustained against Sunderland.
Bruce told the Birmingham Mail: “Whelan, who I thought was our best player up until he got injured, has badly pulled a calf,”
“For him to come off and limp like that, then it’s got to be something severe.”
In the Irish international’s absence, expect Mile Jedinak to step in as midfield enforcer.
Alan Hutton and Andre Green are both expected to miss out with hamstring injuries, while Jonathan Kodjia continues to recover from a broken ankle, despite rumours of a return on social media.
Elsewhere, the hosts will be missing Jed Steer with a dislocated shoulder and Jordan Lyden with persistent ankle problems, while Gabriel Agbonlahor and Chris Samba are also carrying knocks.
On the positive side of things, Axel Tuanzebe is expected to be in contention for Villa following two weeks out with hamstring trouble. The Manchester United loanee will likely feature on the bench with the current back four prospering.
Jack Grealish made his return after a month out from the bench in the 3-0 win at Sunderland and he could make an impact as a substitute once more.
Villa have earned 25 points from 30 available in their latest Championship contests and they can cut the gap on Wolves to seven points with a win. Cardiff are just four points ahead of the Villans in second place, so automatic promotion is still on the cards.
Here is how we think Villa will line-up, with Bruce making just one change from their win at Sunderland:
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
