Mellberg may make West Brom return

Aston Villa skipper Olof Mellberg could return to fitness in time for the derby clash with West Brom on January 2.

The Sweden international had initially been ruled out of the entire festive programme with a hamstring problem.

But Villa manager David O’Leary believes Mellberg has “an outside chance” of being available for the Hawthorns meeting with Bryan Robson’s side.

O’Leary is down to the bare bones in central defence with Liam Ridgewell the only fit centre-back at his disposal.

Right-back Aaron Hughes had to fill the role against Manchester United last weekend in the absence of Mellberg, Martin Laursen and Gary Cahill.

O’Leary said: “The original diagnosis was that Olof would be back for the FA Cup game with Hull but he now has an outside chance of being fit for the West Brom game.

“We’ve been living on our nerves at the back because of the shortage of numbers in central defence and Olof was in good form before the injury.”

O’Leary confirmed striker Kevin Phillips will not be back available until the cup meeting with Peter Taylor’s side because of an ankle problem.