Steven Gerrard: Cameron Archer set to return to Aston Villa squad for Leeds United game

Steven Gerrard has confirmed that Cameron Archer is set to return for the Aston Villa clash against Leeds United on Sunday in the Premier League.

The young striker had a niggle in his adductor but he now seems to be over it and will be available for Villans as they travel to Elland Road.

Apart from Boubacar Kamara, Lucas Digne and Matty Cash will also be missing the 2 October clash v Leeds.

Via the club's official website, Gerrard said, "Cameron Archer will come back in the squad as well, he’s had a bit of a niggle in his adductor but we’re on top of that for the time being. He’ll join the squad."

Prove his worth

Archer has been linked with a Villa Park exit and a loan is still a possibility in the January transfer window.

However, if he feels like he's ready to make the step up and become a first-team regular, he's got to play his way into form.

He has now recovered from his injury and games may come thick and fast so Gerrard will make opportunities available for players to play.

However, he was surprisingly not given a start in the Carabao Cup against Bolton Wanderers so if he does not play much in these next two months, he probably may look for an exit.

He does need Premier League minutes under his belt and Gerrard surely knows what he would be looking for from the striker.

The next few weeks will be extremely interesting to see just how high he is in the manager's pecking order.

In other Aston Villa news, John McGinn admits to the Villa v Southampton Premier League clash being a boring affair.