Aston Villa's Richard Dunne ruled out for rest of season

The Ireland defender hasn't played since Euro 2012 and has had three operations to try to cure a groin problem. But with five games of the Premier League season left Lambert admitted Dunne, pictured, will not play again this term.

He said: "It's unlikely because of the injury he's had. But he's doing a lot better. It's an incredible injury and something I've not come across. He will just have to wait and see for his own career. You can't talk about his future because the main thing was to get him fit to play a game of football and at the minute he is doing fine with his rehabilitation."

Villa go to Manchester United on Monday with Christian Benteke having been nominated for the PFA's Young Player of the Year. The 22-year-old has hit 19 goals for Villa this term but Lambert refused to accept the credit for the Belgian's season after signing him for £7m from Genk last year.

He said: "It gives me great satisfaction to see the lads perform and make massive careers. But once we've got them in the door it's all up to them."