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Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has revealed that James Chester is making steady progress in his recovery from a knee injury, but is still not ready to return.
What’s the latest?
Smith told Villa’s official website:
“James Chester has had a course of injections. He’s now doing light work on the bike and in the gym.”
Chester only missed one of Villa’s first 29 matches of the 2018-19 campaign, but has been on the sidelines since the start of February due to a knee problem.
Smith has said that the centre-back ‘has had a course of injections’ and is currently undergoing recovery work in the gym as he bids to be fit before the end of the season.
There is no indication when the 30-year-old might be fit to make his return, but Villa have been boosted by the news that on-loan Manchester United ace Axel Tuanzebe is fit again.
Chester admitted last month that it had been a frustrating period, but it seems likely that he will be able to play some part between now and the end of the campaign.
How important is Chester to Villa?
Very, very important. It would be fair to say that some of the focus has been taken away from the Welshman due to the form of Tyrone Mings.
Mings arrived on loan at Villa during the January transfer window and the 6 ft 5 ace has been in excellent form for Smith’s side in recent weeks.
Kortney Hause, meanwhile, has impressively slotted in at centre-back due to the absences of Tuanzebe, Chester and also Tommy Elphick.
Tuanzebe is now ready to return, whilst Smith said that Elphick ‘should be back soon’, which does take the pressure off Chester in terms of forcing his return.
The 5 ft 11 ace is still hugely important to Villa, though, and will be desperate to return as soon as possible as Smith’s side look to secure a playoff spot.
If he is not able to return soon, it will have an extremely damaging effect on the club’s surge for promotion.