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Leeds Live
Leeds Live
Sport
Joshua Hobbs

Aston Villa injury and team news as Leeds United opponents juggle AFCON unavailability issues

Leeds United return from the mini mid-season break to face Aston Villa on Wednesday evening as the Whites bid to recover from their defeat to Newcastle United last time out.

Marcelo Bielsa 's side have struggled with injuries all season but the club's social media feeds demonstrated that Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper and Charlie Cresswell have all returned to training this week.

With all three having been out for some time, we'll need to wait for Bielsa's pre-match press conference in order to know when they might be involved in first-team action but Aston Villa will be juggling some absences of their own, with a few injuries and players involved in the late stages of AFCON.

Leeds Live has the rundown of the players that will be doubtful for the upcoming fixture:

Leon Bailey

One of Villa's summer signings earmarked to help replace Jack Grealish, Bailey has struggled for fitness this season.

He has missed the last nine games with a thigh injury and whilst the two-week gap may have given him time to get closer to a return, it seems unlikely that he will be involved against Leeds, at least not from the start.

Marvelous Nakamba

In midfield, Steven Gerrard had favoured Marvelous Nakamba since his arrival at Villa Park but the midfielder picked up a knee injury which looks set to keep him out until the latter stages of the season.

Trezeguet

The Egyptian is currently still on AFCON duty and his side will face Cameroon on Thursday evening, seeking a place in the final of the tournament. Should they be victorious, he won't be back in time to face Leeds.

Bertrand Traore

Also related to AFCON, Traore's Burkina Faso also made the semi-finals although they have been eliminated by Senegal. Traore's availability to face the Whites will be determined by whether or not Gerrard chooses to allow him a break after the tournament.

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