Soccer: Vassell faces sideline spell

Aston Villa striker Darius Vassell is facing the prospect of a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury - but manager John Gregory is hoping the England Under-21 player will be able to delay the operation until the New Year.

Vassell is suffering from medial ligament damage, although this has not stopped him from establishing himself as Gregory’s first-choice striker in the opening three months of the season.