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Jonathan Kodjia's Aston Villa comeback will not happen until mid-September - at the earliest.

It was originally hoped Kodjia would be fit enough to kick off the Championship season with Villa last weekend after missing the end of last term with a broken ankle.

But the quicker-than-expected recovery that looked to be on the cards has suffered a hitch, with the striker still experiencing pain.

Manager Steve Bruce had pencilled Kodjia in for September 9 when Villa play Brentford after the international break, but they are reluctant to put a specific timeframe for his return.

"Kodjia's a bit different," said Bruce.

"I think we were hoping he would be back maybe after the international break.

"He's a bit sore at the minute on his fracture side, so we have to be a bit patient with him."

Mile Jedinak's return will come sooner. The Australian midfielder has been recovering from a groin operation and could be back before the end of August, with Bruce saying: "Mile we're hoping in the next 10 days or so."

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Grealish is on the mend after suffering a freak injury in the final friendly against Watford and having to undergo kidney surgery, but it is still likely to be next year before he plays again.

"Jack, thankfully, is out of hosptial," added Bruce. "He's obviously recovering. He's had a nasty injury.

"That's why we need to have a squad of players and hopefully we can keep on marching without them."

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