Hause could be first casualty of the transfer window

Steven Gerrard confirmed in Friday’s pre-match press conference that Kortney Hause remained ‘missing’ ahead of Aston Villa’s home clash with Norwich City due to an abdominal injury that doesn’t have an expected return date.

The 26-year-old has been out of action since early March and may not feature again under Gerrard this season. Hause’s ongoing absence could put his Villa Park future in doubt, however, as he’s now suffered four lengthy injuries in his three years at the club – ankle injury in 2019, groin injury in 2020, foot injury in 2021 and his chest injury in 2022.

Gerrard has proven himself ruthless when it comes to players that are deemed surplus to requirements, so he might not hesitate if he doesn’t feel he can trust Hause – Jed Steer, Matt Targett, Trezeguet, Wesley Moraes and Keinan Davis were all squad players under Dean Smith but were all loaned out in January.

Hause has barely played this season too, featuring only nine times in all competitions, as he’s fallen behind Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Calum Chambers in the pecking order – his last league outing came in January.

And the fact Gerrard is being linked with centre-backs suggests the writing might be on the wall for the 6ft 3in defender.

In other news, Steven Gerrard should consider Bertrand Traore v Norwich City