Aston Villa working on John Terry for Ipswich trip

Terry was absent from last week’s home wins over Cardiff and Leeds due to an ankle injury sustained in defeat at Norwich earlier this month.

Boss Steve Bruce admitted his skipper was way off a return for Friday’s victory against Leeds and the 37-year-old is unlikely to be rushed back.

The excellent form of Mile Jedinak, who replaced Terry in both games, means Bruce can afford to give Terry extra time to recover if required.

“We will see where John is because he’s still got a sore ankle. He wasn’t anywhere near for Leeds,” said Bruce.

“We’ve got a week until Ipswich now but Jedinak has come in and performed well. He was easily our best player at centre-back. He was terrific at centre-back and has done really well for us.”

Villa are also set to be boosted this week by the return of Alan Hutton to training, following a hamstring injury which has seen the Scot make only one appearance since the 4-2 win at Sheffield Wednesday on February 24.

The 33-year-old has enjoyed arguably his finest season since joining the club in 2011 and has established himself as first choice left-back.

Villa go to Ipswich with their hopes of automatic promotion still just about alive and Bruce will not consider resting players until a top two finish is mathematically out of reach.

“When it is mathematically done it is then a case of, can I rest people?” he said.

“A lot of people have played a lot of games. A fresh player is always better than a tired player. That is what the Championship is.”

Villa will open the top tier of the Trinity Road stand for the home clash with Derby on Saturday week.