Bailey’s return still unknown

A return date to action for national and Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey is still unknown after missing his third straight English Premier League game yesterday because of a hamstring problem.

Bailey, 25, missed his club's 1-0 win over Fulham yesterday as he is recovering from a hamstring injury which forced him off the field during Aston Villa's 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest on April 8. He lasted only 28 minutes as his last action of the game was to create a chance for Ollie Watkins before going down.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery said after the game that he was hoping that the injury will not put him on the shelf for long but he did not give a timetable for his return.

"Yes, Leon, hamstring. Hopefully, it's not a big injury," Emery said after the win against Forest.

Bailey has played 29 Premier League games this season scoring four goals and registering three assists as Aston Villa have turned their season around since Emery took charge of the club last October after the sacking of Steven Gerrard. With their win yesterday, Aston Villa are in fifth place with 54 points and are in the thick of the race for a place in Europe next season. Bailey has had difficulties staying healthy during his time with Aston Villa so far as a thigh problem caused him to miss two months of last season. He only made 18 Premier League appearances last season.

With five games left for the season, Bailey's injury will be watched by national senior men's head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson as he formulates the squad for this summer's Gold Cup. Jamaica are drawn with defending champions the United States, Nicaragua and the winners of preliminary round playoff between French Guiana, St Kitts and Nevis, Curacao or Sint Maarten.