Aston Villa Football Club News

• Nickname:The Villains
• Founded:1874
• Manager:Alex McLeish

• Ground:Villa Park
• Capacity:42,584

Villa handed Marlon boost

18 Sep 2007 - 15:54:07

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Aston Villa have been boosted by the news that striker Marlon Harewood's knee injury is not as serious as was first feared.

The 28-year-old, who joined Villa in the summer from West Ham United, was injured during training last Friday and missed the weekend defeat at Manchester City as a result.

However, further examinations of the problem have revealed no serious damage.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill told the club's official website: "At the end of training on Friday he pulled up with a problem at the back of the knee.

"He'd had a bit of discomfort there some weeks ago - at the back end of last season with West Ham - but I think the rest during the summer had allowed it to settle down.

"This is the first time he's complained about it here and as a precaution we sent him for scans. The first one showed a possibility of a stress fracture.

"But after further examinations and the benefits of other scans, we don't think at this minute that the situation is as bad as all that.

"Marlon feels half-decent and we are now treating it as a lot of bruising around that area.

"So, though we're still cautious, it might not be the length of time out we first feared. That would be great news."