Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has reportedly been told he can spend big in the January transfer window as the club look to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
Bruce has revitalised Villa since taking the reigns, lifting them to within five points of the playoffs having recordedthree wins in their last four.
And, according to theMirror, the former Birmingham boss will be given the funds to improve his squad for a promotion push in the second half of the season.
Aston Villa under Steve Bruce:
Games “ 5
Wins “ 3
Draws “ 2
👊 Unbeaten pic.twitter.com/j8UoNI9pZr
The board at Villa are reportedly keeping the details to themselves, but Bruce has held meetings with technical staff this week.
Villa's left side of midfield could be prioritised in the window, although the spine of the team is also expected to be improved.
The Villains are unbeaten in the five games since Bruce took control, ending their lengthy winless run away from home in his first away game in charge - a run that stretched back to the start of last season's Premier League relegation campaign.
If he is indeed given a healthy budget to strengthen, Villa could become real contenders for promotion, having looked like enduring another disappointing season until their recent revival.
Clearly Bruce doesn't feel that the current squad is quite at the level to challenge at the top, despite the considerable amount spent on the likes of Ross McCormack in the summer.