More despair for Delaney
Thursday, February 6, 2003
Article summary
Aston Villa FC defender Mark Delaney faces a lengthy absence after undergoing knee surgery.
Article body
Aston Villa FC's Welsh full-back Mark Delaney is facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery to repair cartilage damage to his right knee.
Plagued by injuries
The problem was discovered when Delaney went to see a specialist in Sheffield to determine the extent of a cruciate ligament problem. That will not now be known for some time, but the injury is a further setback for the Villa player in an injury-ravaged season.
'Nothing but sympathy'
Villa manager Graham Taylor said: "Mark has had an operation to clear up a cartilage problem, and the next thing will be to have a look at the extent of the cruciate damage. That is still not clear. I have nothing but sympathy for Mark, who has had to put up with a number of injury setbacks this season."
Curtailed comeback
Delaney was initially injured in September when he picked up a knee problem, and subsequently broke a bone in his foot in Wales’ UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying game with Azerbaijan. He returned to English Premiership action last month after missing 12 games but then suffered the cruciate damage in a challenge at the weekend.
'A real blow'
Delaney said: "It's a real blow. I was just getting back into the swing of things. But it has been one thing after another this season and it does get you down."
