Last Updated: Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:17
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill says Stephen Warnock faces a race to be fit for the Carling Cup Final against Manchester United.
Warnock has been a revelation for Villa this season but is currently out of the side as he struggles with a troublesome shin injury and O'Neill fears he may miss the Wembley showpiece on February 28.
There is still time for Warnock to recover but the defender faces a race against time and O'Neill says it would be devastating if he was to miss the Reds clash.
"Obviously it is worrying for Stephen and he has done so much to get us to the cup final," O'Neill revealed. "It would be devastating if he missed that.
"He has been splendid since he came here and got back into the picture with England. Stephen will have to rest for a while. We will have a look and see how he is in a couple of weeks. That is what the specialist has said.
"We will have to see if it will settle down. Obviously, he's desperate to be playing. It's disappointing because he's been brilliant for us."