Midfielder Jedinak, 33, was forced off during last Saturday’s home win against Ipswich and could miss up to three months if he needs an operation. 

“He will see a specialist on Monday in Manchester,” Bruce said. 

“He's been advised to rest and see how it is for the next week to 10 days and see if it starts to heal a little bit.

“If it does, we've got to let nature take it's course. In that case it would be around six weeks.

“If not, it will probably require an operation and then we'd be looking at around 12 weeks.

“We hope the specialist is right and that being in a sling will do him good, and that we could see him back early January.”

Aston Villa EXCLUSIVE: Leeds United clash not a ‘yardstick’ for promotion hopes

Jedinak joins a host of Villa team-mates on the sidelines for this evening’s game against Leeds United.

Despite their mounting problems, Villa have won nine of their last 12 games to climb to fourth in the Championship table but Bruce is pulling his hair out at their injury problems. 

“We started with Jack Grealish and Jonathan Kodjia, then Henri Lansbury is only just ready to play again if we're being truthful,” he said. 

“Add to that John Terry's injury and Mile Jedinak's last week, and it's been tough.  A real blow to us. It's the spine of the team.

“We don't need any more injuries and our big task is to try and sustain the form.

“We've managed to cope so far, which is great testament to the players we've got. Fair play to them.”