Sidwell could face City

Midfielder recovers from injury but Young still on sidelines

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 30th September 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Sidwell could face City

Sidwell: Closing in on return

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Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell could return from injury for the visit of Manchester City on Monday while the game has come too soon for Luke Young.

Sidwell has not played since the 2-0 win over Portsmouth at Villa Park, missing the Carling Cup win over Cardiff and the 2-1 defeat at Blackburn.

The midfielder was a virtual ever present before picking up a thigh injury but could face competition from Fabian Delph to get back into the team.

Delph was preferred ahead of out-of-favour Nigel Reo-Coker for the games against Cardiff and Blackburn and could keep his place for the City clash.

"Steve is improving. We will take it lightly for the first couple of days but I am hoping that he would be all right," Villa boss Martin O'Neill told the club's official website.

In contention

However Young, who is yet to feature this season because of a thigh problem, is not expected back until after the international break.

"Luke is doing really well," O'Neill added.

"He is improving his fitness and his mental strength each week. I would reckon after the break, you would think he would putting himself forward and be in strong contention."