Ireland back within a month

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert expects key midfielder Stephen Ireland to be back in action after the upcoming international break.

Ireland suffered a cracked bone in his wrist during last weekend's 4-1 defeat at Southampton and was substituted at half-time. He missed the midweek Capital One Cup win at Manchester City and has been ruled out of this Sunday's derby with West Brom at Villa Park.

But Lambert is optimistic Ireland will be available when Villa return to action after the international fortnight against Fulham on October 20.

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