Aston Villa midfielder Leander Dendoncker could make his debut in the club’s upcoming Premier League clash at Villa Park.
That is according to Birmingham Mail journalist Ashley Preece, who was speaking on the Claret & Blue podcast ahead of the Premier League fixture on Friday.
Steven Gerrard’s side signed Dendoncker from West Midlands rivals Wolves on deadline day for a fee of £13m.
However, the 27-year-old didn’t make the squad for Villa’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City due to a throat issue he had been suffering from the day before the game.
But Preece believes that Dendoncker will be available for selection for Friday’s meeting with Southampton.
He said: “Dendoncker will be back and available for selection.
“Ideal if you want to see a game out, Dendoncker – I can’t see him starting on Friday, but if you want to see a game out, he’s your man to come on and calm it all down for Villa, so a bonus to have him available.”
TIF Thoughts on Preece’s comments
We believe that Villa fans will be delighted to hear that the 29-time Belgium international, who was hailed as a “top player” by former manager Bruno Lage, could potentially be available for his debut on Friday, with the former Anderlecht man offering the club another option in the middle of the park.
And the supporters would have every reason to be excited, as Dendoncker had a relatively successful four-year spell at Wolves, making 159 appearances, scoring 12 goals and providing four assists in that time according to Transfermarkt – though the midfielder did find it hard to break into the side ahead of Rúben Neves and João Moutinho at times.
However, we think that the Passendale-born midfielder will be a useful asset for Villa and Gerrard this season, with the versatile midfielder having enough top-level experience to offer something of substance to Villa’s midfield.