Lambert expects Ireland return within a month

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert expects key midfielder Stephen Ireland to be back in action after the upcoming international break.

Ireland suffered a cracked bone in his wrist during last weekend’s 4-1 defeat at Southampton and was substituted at half-time.

He missed the midweek Capital One Cup win at Manchester City and has been ruled out of this Sunday’s derby with West Brom at Villa Park.

But Lambert is optimistic Ireland will be available for when Villa return to action after the international fortnight against Fulham on October 20.

He confirmed: “Stephen has got a little crack on his wrist.

“All things going well, I think he’ll be fit after the international break.

“It’s not as bad as we thought it would be. He’s in plaster at the moment.

“The fans are desperate for him to do well. You can sense that. He is a really good lad.

“He’s been doing really fine and it’s just unfortunate what has happened and he was in a lot of pain.”

Lambert expects winger Brett Holman to have recovered from a knee injury in time to face Albion.