Aston Villa have received a lift with the news that Lucas Digne's injury is 'not as bad as first feared'. 

The lowdown

France manager Didier Deschamps called up the left-back for Les Bleus' UEFA Nations League fixtures this month, but the 29-year-old was forced to withdraw from the squad with an ankle injury.

Initial tests suggested that the player could be out for up to seven weeks with the fracture he had sustained, but a much more positive outlook has more recently emerged.

The latest

Birmingham Live journalist Patrick Rowe relayed news from French outlet L'Equipe, with the outlook drastically improving for Digne and Villa.

The reporter tweeted: "Lucas Digne’s ankle injury is ‘not as bad as first feared’ as per @lequipe.

"Further examinations have suggested that the player could return to action in mid-October. Big boost for #avfc."

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The verdict

Villa fans may well be breathing a sigh of relief after hearing this news.

If Digne were ruled out for seven weeks from 20 September, the date that his France withdrawal was confirmed, then he wouldn't be available for selection again until around 8 November. That would have enabled him to feature in just one match for Villa before the World Cup break.

However, it now sounds like he could be in contention for the home game against Chelsea on 16 October judging by the timeframe communicated by Rowe. That would represent a return to action a full six matches earlier than initially anticipated.

The 29-year-old hasn't missed a minute of Premier League football so far this season, so he's clearly a big player for Steven Gerrard's side.