Mile Jedinak to miss Aston Villa's clash with Brighton
Boss Steve Bruce has revealed in-form midfielder Mile Jedinak will miss Villa's next game at high-flying Brighton.
The Australian's commanding performance in Saturday's 2-1 win over Blackburn drew high praise from his manager but the 32-year-old is now set to sit out the game at the Amex Stadium on Friday week, as he will not return from international duty in time.
Jedinak is scheduled to play in Thailand next Tuesday, little more than 72 hours before the Brighton game and Bruce said: "How can I expect to make him play on the Friday?
"I'll see how they are, he's played really well in the last couple of games, he's started playing like the player he knows he is.
"The lads around him have helped him do that, it's important, he's done well. But he won't play (against Brighton) obviously."
Chris Hughton's Brighton have won their last four games, sit second in the Championship table behind Newcastle and are likely to pose the toughest test of Bruce's reign to date. The manager added: "It makes the game just that bit harder, Brighton are a good team who've made a wonderful start.
"They were good side last year and they didn't quite make it. They'll be there or thereabouts so that's the challenge."
Victory over Blackburn moved Villa within five points of the top six and they remain unbeaten since Bruce replaced Roberto Di Matteo in the hotseat, having taken 11 points from five games.
"It's a decent start that's all it is," said Bruce. "The players have done it, and responded.
"When we play with any sort of energy we have some good players here. The players have been caught up in what the club's been through before.
"They haven't got the best of starts and then it becomes difficult for everybody. Hopefully it's a new beginning for all of them.
"I never thought I'd hear the Holte End singing my name. Not in that way anyway! They've usually crucified me in the past."
Full-back Alan Hutton has meanwhile confirmed his international retirement. The 31-year-old, who won 50 caps for Scotland, explained: "I feel this is the right time to spend more time with my family, put everything I have professionally into doing well at Villa and give others a chance."
