McAlister predicts bright future for Delph

Aston Villa caretaker manager Gary McAllister expects midfielder Fabian Delph to have a big impact, once the player gets over his injury problems.

The England under-21 international ruptured knee ligaments in training last April which put him out of action for eight months, but just two games into his comeback against Manchester City, he broke down again and ruled himself out for nine more weeks.

Delph did return towards the end of the season to star during Villa's win over Arsenal, but another injury picked up against Liverpool.

McAllister said: "Fabian took a bang and he was frustrated in the dressing room.

 

“He got back in the team and then he took a nasty one down the back of the ankle.

“You have to realise the lad has been out a long time but the last month has been the first time I have seen him free in his mind because he’s over the problem with his knee.

"I don’t think this ankle issue is serious. He’ll really benefit from a good pre-season this time around.

“We’ll see the real Fabian Delph now. He is a kid I have known for a while and he can play.”