Ross Barkley has been ruled out of Aston Villa’s clash with Midlands rivals Wolves on Saturday.
The England midfielder had hoped to be available at Molineux after missing Villa’s 2-1 defeat at West Ham with a hamstring injury, but he has not recovered in time to be considered.
The 27-year-old, who is on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea, is now targeting a return to action either at home to Burnley on December 17, or at West Brom three days later.
Villa boss Dean Smith said: ‘His recovery is going well so hopefully he will be back, not for the Wolves game, but some time just after that.