Fabian Delph could be in line for a Premier League recall with doubts hanging over Nigel Reo-Coker and Steve Sidwell’s availability to face Blackburn.

As revealed in yesterday’s Express & Star, there was no place for Reo-Coker in boss Martin O’Neill’s squad for last night’s 1-0 Carling Cup win over Cardiff, suggesting the pair are still to put last week’s training bust-up behind them.

Sidwell was not fit enough to feature despite being named on the bench after feeling a twinge in his thigh in the warm-up.

It could leave O’Neill with two holes to fill in the centre of midfield as the Villa boss contemplates returning to 4-5-1 for the Ewood Park trip – and 19-year-old Delph made a strong case with his best performance since joining this summer.

“I have a concern with Steve,” said O’Neill. “I kept him back last night although I thought he did really splendidly on Saturday.

“He felt his thigh in the warm-up. Even though he was sub he couldn’t have come on because it was getting sorer on the bench. That is a bit of a concern.”

Of Reo-Coker, he added: “There is no update regarding Nigel. I have nothing more to add.”

Delph’s only top-flight start came in the opening-day defeat to Wigan.