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Aston Villa midfielder Leander Dendoncker likely to return after international break with protective brace - Injury expert
We’re delighted to welcome injury expert Dr Rajpal Brar as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the injury situation at Aston Villa...
Aston Villa midfielder Leander Dendoncker is on course to secure his return from injury after the international break, according to Dr Rajbal Brar.
The injury expert believes that Dendoncker, 27, may return for the game against Chelsea on 1 April, but he will be wearing a protective brace on his wrist.
The ex-Wolves midfielder last featured for the Villans in the 4-2 loss against Arsenal on 17 February and has since been out with a hand injury.
When asked about the chances of him playing through the injury v Chelsea on 1 April, Brar, a doctor in physical therapy and a sports scientist, told Villa News exclusively, “Unless it’s a significant injury, these are typically about pain tolerance and risk/reward in terms of doing further injury.
“He will likely have a brace and be strapped up when he does return.”
The Belgian midfielder has not been at his best since his move to Aston Villa and picked up an injury just when he seemed to get things going.
His ability to play in defence makes him an important option for Unai Emery to bring off the bench and his versatility will also give the Spaniard tactical fluidity during games.
Thus far, he’s made 13 Premier League appearances for Villa but of those only three have been from kick-off as he’s been used primarily as a substitute.
In other Aston Villa news, an academy talent is ready for an Unai Emery baptism after what he has done in the Championship.