Steve Bruce challenges Aston Villa to deal with loss of John Terry to injury

Terry is not expected to return until the New Year after suffering a break to the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.

Chris Samba, who replaced the 36-year-old off the bench, Mile Jedinak and even forgotten men Tommy Elphick and Micah Richards could all feature in defence as Villa look to plug the gap left by their captain.

Terry had played every single minute of the club’s Championship campaign before being forced off following a 20th minute challenge on Wednesday’s Morgan Fox.

Bruce said: “We've got to deal with it. John has been instrumental in what we have achieved so far but that's football.

“We have to deal with it. Chris Samba is an experienced player. Tommy Elphick, Micah Richards, all people now who can start earning their money.

“That's why we brought big Chris here, because of his experience and the way he performed on Saturday, he didn't do anything wrong.”

Samba has started only one Championship game this season but is likely to be the man Bruce turns to first to partner James Chester when Villa return to action at QPR on Saturday week.

Neither Elphick or Richards have featured in a Championship matchday squad this term. Richards last made a first-team appearance more than a year ago, in Bruce’s first game in charge.

The manager said: “I am not going to shut the door on anyone. Tommy is an experienced player.

“He has not been involved of late because of the form of John and James but he will come back into the reckoning of course.”

Terry, who joined Villa as a free agent in the summer after a glittering career at Chelsea, had been a key player in a run of just one defeat in 12 prior to Saturday, which saw Villa climb into the top five.

“John is a big loss to us. There is no disputing that,” said Bruce. “But we have to get over that and deal with it and I hope we can.

“Can we stay in the top six? That's got to be our aim. Of course. We've got a long winter ahead. We're Aston Villa. We've got to be there or thereabouts.

“We have lost John. We will have to manage with without him.”