Jhon Duran has been linked with Chelsea (Phoo: Getty)
Chelsea target and Aston Villa star Jhon Duran will miss the two sides’ FA Cup clash on Friday through injury, it has been revealed.
The Blues host the Villans at Stamford Bridge in one of the best fourth-round ties, and home fans had been hoping to watch one of their transfer targets first-hand.
Duran has been recently linked with a move to west London, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side weighing up whether to make a bid for the young striker before the January window closes.
Signing a centre-forward is the club’s top priority this month, with Newcastle’s Callum Wilson also an option they could explore.
The chance to scout Duran in-person has gone however, after Unai Emery revealed in his pre-match press conference that the 20-year-old will spend the next few weeks in the treatment room.
‘Jhon Duran is now injured, but I am happy with him,’ the Aston Villa manager said as he gave an injury update on his side.
‘The last action against Everton he was injured. For the next weeks he is not going to be available.
Unai Emery has no plans to sell Duran (Photo: Getty)
‘Lucas Digne and Pau Torres are still injured. Lucas is close to starting with the group, maybe in one week. Pau is progressing well, he starting training with us and ready to play, but he stopped again and now we are being careful.
‘[Jacob] Ramsey too, it is a hamstring at the beginning we were thinking three weeks, but he could be back next week if he progresses well. Maybe Tuesday, but for tomorrow maybe not.’
Duran only moved to Villa Park from Chicago Fire 12 months ago in a deal worth up to £18million.
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The Colombian international has made 23 appearances across all competitions so far this season, but he is yet to start a Premier League game and only has four goals and an assist to his name.
Emery has already stated that Villa have no intention of selling him, saying: ‘We need a second striker because we have to try to be strong in our squad with two players per position. It is [Ollie] Watkins and Jhon Duran.
‘I am working with him a lot, his commitment is progressively better. When we talked about the decision to sign him one year ago, the process we are doing with him is it.’
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Chelsea face Villa in the FA Cup fourth-round on Friday night.