Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce admits patience needed after Jonathan Kodjia injury setback
Villa striker Jonathan Kodjia is facing up to another month on the sidelines after suffering a setback in his recovery from a broken ankle.
The 27-year-old, the club’s top scorer with 19 goals last season, has not featured since suffering the injury in April.
Boss Steve Bruce admits patience will be required, as the Ivory Coast international waits for the fracture to fully heal.
“We thought he would be back before now, it is fair to say he had a setback,” said Bruce.
“At the end of the day he has a fracture. We have to be patient and wait for that fracture to heal.
“He has got two or three pins in the fracture too. We thought he would be back by now but he is still a few weeks away.”
With Kodjia missing and both Scott Hogan and Gabriel Agbonlahor struggling with injury, Bruce is keen to add another striker before the window closes next week.
Villa had been keen on Southampton striker Sam Gallagher but lost out on the 21-year-old to rivals Blues.
Agbonlahor missed Saturday’s 4-2 win over Norwich with a back injury, while Hogan was on the bench after suffering a recurrence of an ankle injury which has plagued him for much of his Villa career to date.
“It has been a disappointing time for Scott,” said Bruce. “Four or five times now he has had to come off. It is fair to say he has not really got started with one thing and another.
“Let’s hope his ankle is not so bad and he gets a run injury free. It is a concern going forward.”
