Jack Grealish ruled out of Aston Villa return against Stoke

Boss Dean Smith had been hopeful the 23-year-old, who has been out since early December, would be fit enough for a place on the bench at the bet365 Stadium.

But though Grealish continues to make good progress in his recovery from a bone stress injury, he is not quite ready to return.

“Saturday will come too soon for him,” said Smith. “He is still working very hard on the training ground and has done bits and bobs with us.

“He is progressing and that is what we want. He is out on the grass training now.”

Grealish’s absence has coincided with a rotten run which has seen Villa win just two out of 12 Championship fixtures and slide nine points adrift of the play-offs.

Goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic is also a doubt for the trip to the Potteries, with Smith revealing the Croatian international is in concussion protocol, after being forced out of last Saturday’s derby defeat to Albion at half-time following a clash with Jake Livermore.

Deadline day signing Tom Carroll is again set to miss out with a hip problem, though the boss is hopeful he could return for the home game with Derby on March 2.

Axel Tuanzebe (foot) and Henri Lansbury (hamstring) remain long term injury absentees.