Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard has confirmed that Leon Bailey suffered an ankle injury in the win over Norwich City.
Bailey, 24, lasted just 40 minutes on Saturday afternoon at Villa Park, as he appeared to pick up a knock from an early challenge but initially continued.
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However, it was eventually decided that he couldn’t go on, with Danny Ings coming on to replace him just before half-time.
Speaking after the game, Gerrard confirmed that Bailey sustained an ankle injury and will need to undergo an MRI scan to discover the full extent of the problem, but it doesn’t sound too promising for now as the Jamaican international is seemingly set for more frustration.
“It’s an ankle issue,” the Villa boss said, as per BirminghamLive. “In terms of the extent and the damage I’m sure he’ll be MRI scanned in the next 24 to 48 hours. I’m really disappointed and frustrated for him because he’s worked really hard to get back, he’s been training ever so well.
“We wanted to give him another opportunity off the back of Leicester to really try and keep him in the rhythm. You see how he started the game he nearly scores with a fantastic effort and a top save from Tim Krul.
“Not too far after that he’s got to come off the pitch. He’s frustrated, we’re frustrated and I’m sure the supporters are as well.
“He said there was a bit of a twist after the contact so we’ll get him looked at. He’s obviously going to be a major doubt for the next game against Burnley because it’s very rare that you come off the pitch and you’re available for the next game, so we are concerned about it.”
Bailey has scored just one goal and provided two assists in 18 appearances for Villa so far this season in what has been a frustrating first year for him in England as it has been plagued by fitness woes.
While it remains to be seen how long he faces on the sidelines now, he’ll hope that if he doesn’t feature again in the remaining games that he has done enough to convince Gerrard that he should be part of his plans for the Villa squad next season.
