O'Leary hopeful over Delaney

Aston Villa manager David O’Leary is optimistic that defender Mark Delaney will not be a long-term injury casualty – even if he requires further surgery on his knee.

Delaney has still not yet fully recovered from the cruciate ligament problem which required an operation in February.

Now the Wales international is on the sidelines after sustaining a blow to the same knee against Tottenham eight days ago.

Delaney will know later this week, after the knee has had time to settle down, whether he has to go under the knife again.

But O’Leary is confident even if that is the worst scenario that Delaney will be back in action sooner rather than later.

He said: “The scan shows minor cartilage damage and we will know whether he needs an operation at the end of the week.

“He did his cruciate ligaments last season and he has irritated that part of his knee. We are at the moment waiting for it to settle down and then will take it from there.

“But, if Mark does need surgery, I don’t think that it is going to be a long term thing and certainly nothing like last season.”

Delaney is trying to remain positive and has not ruled himself out of next Saturday’s match with Manchester United at Old Trafford, although that appears to be an over-optimistic goal.

He said: “Manchester United away would be nice to play in and I am not ruling it out. You want to play on the big stage.

“I’ve had a few big games with Wales and that is another I want to be involved in. I’m just disappointed to miss the Carling Cup game with Crystal Palace in midweek because that is also important to us.

“I am just hoping that the injury is not too serious because last season was a nightmare from that point of view.”