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Scott Hogan could be back within a month with early indications that his ankle injury is not as bad as first feared.

The £12million striker was carried off on a stretcher in the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United with boss Steve Bruce worried that a lengthy lay-off could follow.

Hogan is being monitored closely by Villa’s medical team and the latest information is that he could be back within four-to-five weeks.

An exact time-frame has not yet been confirmed by the club as they await the final scan results. They are expected in the next 24 hours.

Hogan told his manager that he didn’t think the injury was as serious as it looked on Monday night. He is waiting for the swelling to go down.

The 24-year-old former Brentford favourite will definitely sit out of the forthcoming games against Derby and Bristol City, while the games against Rotherham (a), Huddersfield (a) and Sheffield Wednesday (h) could also come too soon.

Hogan, signed on transfer deadline day, has already had two career-threatening injuries in his career and deserves a slice of luck after securing a ‘dream’ move to Villa last month.