Gardner adds to injury worries
Villa prospect Craig Gardner has been ruled out of action for two weeks after sustaining a groin strain in Tuesday's goalless draw with Chelsea.Villa prospect Craig Gardner has been ruled out of action for two weeks after sustaining a groin strain in Tuesday's goalless draw with Chelsea. It is the latest blow to hit manager Martin O'Neill, who is now without eight players for Sunday's FA Cup third round clash against Manchester United. Gardner has undergone scans and O'Neill said: "It looks as if he'll be out for a couple of weeks. "Hopefully he won't be out for as long as we feared, but he's going to be out for a while. He's made a very favourable impression." Read the full story in the Express & Star
It is the latest blow to hit manager Martin O'Neill, who is now without eight players for Sunday's FA Cup third round clash against Manchester United.
Gardner has undergone scans and O'Neill said: "It looks as if he'll be out for a couple of weeks.
"Hopefully he won't be out for as long as we feared, but he's going to be out for a while. He's made a very favourable impression."Gardner's absence adds to a casualty list including Thomas Sorensen, Stuart Taylor, Mark Delaney, Martin Laursen, Luke Moore, Chris Sutton and Didier Agathe, while Olof Mellberg is suspended for the weekend tie.
O'Neill has refused to comment on speculation linking him with Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson.
The 28-year-old midfielder has been linked with Villa, Everton and Newcastle after being stripped of the captaincy at Ibrox.
O'Neill said: "I think it would be difficult for us to have any signings before the FA Cup game with Manchester United."
Villa have received the go-ahead to play Gabor Kiraly in the FA Cup against Manchester United.
Kiraly, whose emergency loan expires on January 14, has been given permission by Crystal Palace to play at Old Trafford.
The Eagles' decision means Kiraly, who Palace are keen to offload, will be cup-tied.
But his availability at least gives Villa some breathing space.
O'Neill revealed Laursen, Moore and Sutton should be back sooner than expected, saying: "Martin's ahead of schedule. They were talking three months, but it's eight weeks now and he wants to join in.
"Luke's keen to get on with things. He has to see the specialist before he gets the all-clear to play football, but he's raring to go.
"With Chris, after two weeks we're hoping he should be able to do non-contact training.
Delaney will visit the United States to see world renowned knee surgeon Dr Richard Steadman for a cure to his season-long knee problem.