Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard has reportedly been handed a double injury boost with good news on Bertrand Traore and Marvelous Nakamba.
Traore was ruled out of the defeat to Newcastle Utd last weekend after picking up a hamstring injury on his return from the AFCON, while Nakamba has been sidelined since last year after suffering a knee injury.
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While in Traore’s case he has played very little under Gerrard and so it’s not a major miss, Nakamba proved to be a crucial piece in our midfield prior to his setback, and Villa have certainly struggled in that defensive midfield position since.
However, as per BirminghamLive, it’s suggested that Traore’s injury isn’t as bad as first feared, and he’ll be looking to return to action against Brighton on February 26. It’s added that he’ll push to resume full training in the coming days, and so it’s hoped that he comes through unscathed and can offer us a different option in the final third.
As for Nakamba, it’s noted that his rehabilitation is going well and it’s possible that he could return before the end of the season, but naturally we’ll have to wait to see how he fares as he steps up his comeback and tries to avoid any fresh setbacks along the way.
Nevertheless, while Villa will likely address the defensive midfield role in the summer transfer window, it would certainly be a major boost for Gerrard if he did get Nakamba back in the coming months. The balance of the side with that protection in front of the defence was undoubtedly much better than it has been in recent weeks, as we’ve continued to struggle to keep clean sheets and dominate games.
With Leon Bailey returning from his own injury setback this past weekend, it’s certainly a major positive that the treatment room is clearing out, and it’s hoped that both Traore and Nakamba will be back out on the pitch sooner rather than later.