Delph Injured in Training

[Chipsticks]

From SSN:

Paul Lambert says Fabian Delph might need surgery on a shoulder injury suffered in training.

Delph fell awkwardly on Tuesday, two days after starting England's European Qualifier in Estonia, and Lambert initially described him as a doubt for Saturday's game against Everton.

But pressed on the severity of the injury, the Villa boss admitted his player might have dislocated the joint.

He said: "Yes, (it's) probably that. Whether it is enough to allow it to rest for a couple of weeks I don't know or if there is more to it. I am pretty sure the medical people will discuss that."

Asked if an operation was a possiblity he said: "That's the thing, we don't know. That will be left up to the medical people to see what is the best procedure for it.

"It was an awkward fall. No-one was near him. He fell on his shoulder. It is not always straightforward so we need to go and get it checked out."

Surgery would place in doubt Delph's availability for next month's European Qualifier against Slovenia, which is followed by a friendly against Scotland.

Nothing said for certain, but could really do without him going off for surgery.

[Goldie.7]

Another training ground incident, what the hell is going on at B.H

[PeterWithesShin]

A key Villa player injured? Well there's a rarity.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Getting to used to it by now.

[timeoutbigbar]

Arsecandles. 

Time for Sanchez to step up.

[Ian.]

We're cursed I tell thee, damn cursed.

[olaftab]

Bugger. Not good news. Time for Cleverly to dominate the midfield and fill the gap.

[frank black]

If it's a bad one,I guess that knackers our chances if selling in Jan. If he doesn't sign a new contract, of course.

[Stu]

*sigh*

[peter w]

Well look on the positive side. here goes...

We know what he brings and how important he is but now we can look to the rest to see if they bring more of a threat. Sometimes it just works like that. I'd wouldn't stick with the diamond but use Richardson in the Delph role. Still no place for Sanchez. Weimann and Gabby in the wider rpositions with Benteke up top.

Good God.

[PaulWinch again]

Bloody hell, that's terrible news.

[OzVilla]

I know every team gets injuries but feck me!

[Clampy]

Just as we get Benteke back as well, just our luck.

[Dave]

The bright side:

1) better this season than last. At least we have options to work around it (Cleveley, Sanchez, Richardson)

2) maybe this might remind him that he's been brittle in the past and it might be better to get signed onto a decent contract now rather than waiting to see what happens in three/six months time.

[Ads]

As much as we will miss him, and if he needs surgery he could well be out until February, that at least we have options.

This time last season it would have been Herd or KEA, but with the three you mentioned, we do at least have options.