Transfer insider Dean Jones believes Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis may be forced to leave if he wants regular playing time. 

The lowdown: Wanted man

Following a successful loan stint at Nottingham Forest, Davis has returned to Villa Park and was part of the pre-season plans under Steven Gerrard before injury curtailed the frontman's progression.

The 24-year-old former England youth international was subsequently absent from the squad for the opening day defeat against Bournemouth after another hamstring setback and is unlikely to feature against Everton this weekend, which is particularly worrying given how blunt the attack looked against the Cherries.

Linked with a return to Forest as well as moves to Watford and Norwich City previously, one well-informed onlooker has shed some light on the situation surrounding Davis at present...

The latest: 'Villa are looking...'

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones - a journalist for Eurosport - has hinted at an exit, saying the club are already 'looking' at too many players who can play in Davis' spot...

“Villa are looking at six players for those attacking positions. I’m just not sure there’s going to be room for him to actually make a challenge.

“The only thing you could say that would help him is the five-sub rule, but even with that you’re going to be getting five minutes here and there.”

The verdict: Cash in...

Should a new face - such as the courted Espanyol frontman Raul de Tomas - arrive before the September 1 transfer deadline, allowing Davis to move on appears to be the best option for all parties.

Despite seemingly possessing all of the required attributes to succeed at the elite level, the academy graduate - who was described as 'absolutely unplayable' by ex-Villans favourite Jack Grealish - has only managed six goals in 86 first-team outings for the Midlands club.

Valued at £2.25million and under contract until 2024 (Transfermarkt), Davis is unlikely to be rewarded with a new deal anytime soon and with fleeting appearances seemingly the only offer, sanctioning a sale and using the funds elsewhere would be a wise move from Johan Lange.