James Bree set for Aston Villa recall at Bolton
Villa boss Steve Bruce will use James Bree as the solution to a defensive headache at Bolton on Saturday.
The 20-year-old is poised for just his second Championship start of the season – and his first since September - as an emergency left-back at the Macron Stadium.
Bree, who is predominantly a right-back, will replace Neil Taylor in the Villa starting XI, after the Wales international was ruled out with a groin injury.
With Alan Hutton and Axel Tuanzebe also missing with hamstring injuries, Bruce will ask Bree to plug the gap in Villa’s backline.
It will be the young defender’s first appearance in the Championship since the 0-0 draw with Brentford on September 9 and only his fourth outing in the league this term.
He has not featured since playing at centre-back in Villa’s 3-1 FA Cup defeat to Peterborough on January 6.
Bruce said: “James has been champing at the bit and it’s his chance. He’s been waiting patiently and has trained well so he’ll be in at left-back.”
Taylor’s injury is likely to see him withdraw from the Wales squad for the forthcoming China Cup.
Andre Green (hamstring), Jonathan Kodjia (ankle) and Glenn Whelan (calf) are Villa’s other absentees.
