Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has admitted that he may have to sign another striker when the January transfer window opens as he reacted to a double-injury blow ahead of Saturday's Championship clash with Ipswich Town.
Bruce revealed that last season's top goalscorer, Jonathan Kodjia, could miss the rest of the season as he prepares to underdog surgery for an ankle injury. The 28-year-old missed the best part of five months when he first fractured the ankle against Blackburn back in April and he had only made eight appearances this season before injuring the same ankle against Birmingham City last month.
Kodjia then broke down while on international duty with Ivory Coast two weeks ago and the prognosis isn't good as Bruce admitted that an operation will be needed.
“It [the operation] will be done probably later this week", said Bruce at his press conference on Friday morning. "It’s the worst possible news that we can have, but it’s football."
Scott Hogan would be a ready-made replacement for Kodjia but the forward has been ruled out for up to four weeks after undergoing surgery on a freak stomach injury he suffered on international duty with Republic of Ireland.
It is a blow for Hogan as he has struggled to settle since joining Villa from Brentford last January and it leaves Steve Bruce with only two recognised strikers in his squad, with the young Keinan Davies leading the line impressively and Gabriel Agbonlahor still feeling his way back to full fitness.
"It's the worst possible news" said Bruce
#PartOfThePride #AVFC
With Aston Villa pushing for promotion, Bruce said that he might have to consider dipping into the transfer market to add to his squad in the new year.
“We won’t have millions to spend with the financial restrictions that we’re under. You don’t have to spend millions. It's always a bit more difficult to loan a player, but that’s where we are and that’s what we’re looking at.”
Villa are limited to how much they can spend due to Financial Fair Play and a loan signing might be the best solution for the club, with Liverpool's Danny Ings linked with a move to the Midlands in recent days. Ings prospered for Burnley in the Championship earlier in his career and he would relish the opportunity to play regular first team football as he bids to rediscover form and fitness following a long-term injury.
Meanwhile, Manchester United's James Wilson has been in fine form for the Red Devils reserves as he continues his comeback from an ACL injury and Bruce could reignite his interest in the 21-year-old forward.
Aston Villa are next in Championship action against Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon (Kick-Off 3pm BST).
