Thursday Mar 16 2006 11:53
Aston Villa boss David O'Leary is resigned to being without James Milner at
Everton on Saturday after the on-loan
Newcastle United winger picked up a virus.
The 20-year-old sat out the Premiership defeat at Blackburn Rovers and the FA Cup fifth round replay loss at Manchester City because of the problem.
Press reports suggested Milner has glandular fever, but Villa's medical staff have so far been unable to ascertain exactly what the problem is and have sent him home to rest.
O'Leary told the club's official website: "We've sent him away for a week and he'll return next Thursday so we can assess his condition.
"The lad has picked up a virus and we can't nail exactly what it is. We've been advised to give him a week to get it out of his system.
"But he's a strong lad and if he comes back next Thursday and he's recovered, I'm sure he'll be fine to train for two days and go straight back in against Fulham."
If the problem does turn out to be glandular fever Milner will be unable to play again this season.
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