Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has admitted that striker JonathanÂ KodjiaÂ is a “bigÂ doubt” forÂ hisÂ side’s away trip to Preston North EndÂ in the ChampionshipÂ on Wednesday night.

The forwardÂ had only returned to the first-team in September after havingÂ lastÂ season cut shortÂ in AprilÂ due to aÂ broken ankle incurred at Blackburn Rovers last term.

This latestÂ ofÂ setbacksÂ â€“ another ankleÂ injury – resultedÂ inÂ the 28-year-oldÂ Ivory Coast internationalÂ beingÂ substituted late on in Villa’s goallessÂ drawÂ againstÂ localÂ rivals Birmingham CityÂ at the weekend.

However, ahead of the game atÂ Deepdale, the Midlands boss admitted he was hopingÂ his side would getÂ a bit of luckÂ andÂ thatÂ last season’s top scorer Kodjia wouldÂ makeÂ a swift comeback.

“Heâ€™s goneÂ over on his ankle,â€ Bruce said in TheÂ DailyÂ Star ahead of theÂ game atÂ Deepdale.

â€œThe same one he had in the summer. We donâ€™t know how bad it is now but certainly he looks a big doubt for Wednesday.

â€œYou can never tell withÂ Kodj. Heâ€™s disappointed because he didnâ€™t want to come off. But I donâ€™t know how bad it is, Iâ€™m only speculating.

â€œWhen he did it at Blackburn (last season), I didnâ€™t think he would have a fractured ankle. Touch wood it isnâ€™t too bad and we have a bit of luck.â€

WithÂ 19Â leagueÂ goalsÂ in 2016/17Â andÂ oneÂ inÂ eight matches since his return, Villa Park supporters will be eager to see thatÂ KodjiaÂ does not remainÂ on the injury list for long.

After a tricky start to the season, Bruce’s Villa side have climbed to sixth in the table, puttingÂ them into the play-off spots.

The Villans will be looking for aÂ win againstÂ Preston inÂ orderÂ toÂ maintainÂ pressure on the sides above and continue their push for an automatic promotion place.