Steve Bruce has revealed that he can’t envision Jonathan Kodjia featuring for Aston Villa again this season following his ankle surgery.
The Villans boss was asked for an update on the forward in his press conference following the Nottingham Forest game, and gave a less than promising response.
“It’s probably best if we forget it, I can’t see it (him featuring again this season),” revealed Bruce, as quoted by the Birmingham Mail.
Kodjia has been out injured since November after undergoing surgery on his ankle for the second time in seven months.
The Ivory Coast international has only managed to feature eight times this season, due to his injury problems, scoring one goal.
Last season, Kodjia was Aston Villa’s top scorer netting 19 league goals to aid their cause.
OPINION
The absence of Kodjia is what is forcing Aston Villa’s pursuit of a striker in January with his presence sorely missed. It’s a shame that he looks unlikely to feature again this season, as the Villans’ promotion push would only be boosted by the forward. With this being another injury to his ankle, there’s a worry that ankle problems will continue to plague him throughout his career. However, hopefully the second surgery has fixed any issues and the forward will be carefully managed back to fitness in order to play for Aston Villa again next season, in whatever league they find themselves in.