Steven Gerrard has provided an injury update ahead of Aston Villa’s Premier League clash against Leeds United on Sunday.
Midfielder Boubacar Kamara has been ruled out until after the forthcoming World Cup having suffered a knee ligament injury during our victory over Southampton last time out, joining centre-back Diego Carlos on the sidelines.
Full-backs Lucas Digne and Matty Cash will also miss the trip to Elland Road, with the latter scheduled to return to full training on Monday, while striker Cameron Archer is back in the matchday squad.
“It’s not ideal, we’ve had better days on the injury front,” said head coach Gerrard, speaking at Friday’s press conference.
“Bouba will be missing until after the World Cup unfortunately so that’s a huge blow, and obviously Diego Carlos, two of our signature signings if you like, who are going to be missing for a large part of the season.
“Lucas Digne is a unique situation, he has a heel problem and it’s one we’re going to have to monitor as we go along, so it’s very difficult to put a timescale on Lucas but he’ll certainly be missing in the coming weeks.
“We’re due to assess that situation again in just over two weeks to see whether his heel has healed enough for us to progress, but that’s quite a frustrating one again, another big player missing for us.
“But it obviously gives opportunities for other people to step forward and step up.
“On the Matty Cash front, it’s positive news, he should join the group on Monday back into full training, he did part of the session today for the first time. So we’ll welcome him back.
“Cameron Archer will come back in the squad as well, he’s had a bit of a niggle in his adductor but we’re on top of that for the time being. He’ll join the squad.
“So, mixed news at best, if you like.”
