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Dean Smith reveals Ross Barkley's hamstring injury is 'not as bad' as Aston Villa first feared - but loanee is still expected to miss next three games with club keen not to rush him back into action

Ross Barkley's hamstring injury is not as bad as first feared, Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has revealed.

The Chelsea loanee is likely to be out until the middle of December after coming off in last week's 2-1 defeat to Brighton.

He is likely to miss Villa's next three games, starting with Monday's Premier League trip to West Ham.

Ross Barkley's hamstring injury is not as bad as first feared, Aston Villa boss Dean Smith says
Smith revealed Barkley will return next month due to the strain picked up against Brighton

'Ross obviously got a hamstring injury against Brighton so he's going to be out for two or three weeks. Nothing more than that, it's not as bad as what we first feared,' Smith told a press conference.