Aston Villa have received an injury boost ahead of facing Sheffield United on Wednesday.
Jack Grealish missed Villa’s 2-1 Premier League defeat to Leicester City last weekend after picking up a leg injury in training.
Manager Dean Smith says Grealish will also be absent for Saturday’s clash with Leeds United.
But in bad news for the Blades, there’s a chance the midfielder will be back to face them next week.
“Jack could be back to play against Sheffield United on Wednesday or Wolves next week. So, we’ll very much be judged by Jack on that,” Smith said in his pre-match press conference, as quoted by Sky Sports.
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“It’s a lower leg injury. He had some discomfort, so he went to see the doctor and they decided that he needed a period of rest until he was pain-free.
“I believe that he’s very close to being pain-free now and such is Jack, he’ll want to play as soon as he can.”
Good news for Aston Villa is more problems for Sheffield United
It’s been a tough season so far for the Blades and it doesn’t get easier for them over the next week.
Chris Wilder’s side are currently bottom of the table and 14 points from safety.
They’ve lost 20 of their 25 league matches. With 13 left to play, it would take a remarkable turnaround for them to avoid relegation.
Having lost their last three games in the top flight, next up for United are reigning champions Liverpool.
The Reds are admittedly suffering their own loss of form, losing their last four league fixtures.
Yet they still represent a tough challenge at Bramall Lane on Sunday night.
Then Villa visit South Yorkshire having enjoyed a superb campaign to date.
The Birmingham side were promoted from the Championship alongside the Blades in 2019. But they only avoided the drop on the final day, while Wilder’s team finished ninth – their highest league position since 1992.
Now the two sides have swapped roles. The Villans are eighth in the table as things stand, with games in hand over those above them.
Grealish has played a key part in that success, providing 10 assists and scoring six goals.
