Delaney sets comeback date
Aston Villa defender Mark Delaney is to step-up his comeback from injury this week.
Mark Delaney is to step-up his comeback trail from injury with Aston Villa boss David O'Leary desperate to add defensive cover to his squad.The Wales international played for Villa's second string on Monday evening, feeling no ill-effects from a groin injury that has kept him on the sidelines for the majority of the season.
Delaney has managed just three appearances this season, such is the extent of the problem, but could now be used at the weekend at Manchester United.
''We've been here before but I'm hoping to play a part for the first team now,'' the 29-year-old told the club's official website.
''I feel fit and it was good to play alongside the young lads in the reserves.
''Fingers crossed I can return to the first team soon. I'd love to be involved against Manchester Untied on Saturday, but we'll have to wait and see what the gaffer thinks.''
With O'Leary contending with a congested treatment room at Villa Park, the return of Delaney should provide relief for Olof Mellberg and Liam Ridgwell - his two remaining fit central defenders.
''If we can get him back fit, he will be a temporary centre-half. For most of this season we have been working with only Mellberg and Ridgewell,'' said O'Leary.
"I want Mark back because he can give us cover in an area where we are brittle. We have been very lucky to get away with."
Such is O'Leary's defensive headache that a possible new arrival has been mooted, although O'Leary insists that only loan signings will be allowed by the club's board.
''The bottom line is, if anything is coming in next month it will have to be on loan. We won't be buying because there won't be any money really,'' he concluded.
"You wouldn't have to be a rocket scientist to say a target for me will be a central defender! Thank God Olof and Liam have managed to stay fit.
"In my first year here, we had to get the wage bill reduced drastically and get a lot of players out. Centre-halves went out of the club like Ronny Johnsen, Steve Staunton, Ozalan Alpay and Dion Dublin who had then moved back from being a striker.
"That left Olof Mellberg. We brought in Martin Laursen to compensate for those four leaving but we've had hardly any use out of him."
