Chris Herd could also be involved after coming through an hour in a reserve match unscathed. The midfielder has been out for around two and a half months with ankle ligament damage.

McLeish said he had a few other players with minor injuries who may not recover, but declined to name individuals.

Richard Dunne (shoulder) and Ciaran Clark (knee) are both long-term casualties.

Aston Villa (from) Given, Guzan, Hutton, Lichaj, Collins, Cuellar, Warnock, Baker, Bannan, Petrov, Ireland, Albrighton, Bent, Keane, Agbonlahor, Heskey, N’Zogbia, Weimann, Marshall, Johnson, Gardner, Stevens, Herd.