Delaney out until new year
Friday, November 22, 2002
Article summary
Aston Villa FC and Wales defender Mark Delaney has been ruled out for at least a month with a broken foot.
Article body
Maximum points
The right-back was hurt in the 2-0 victory against Azerbaijan on Wednesday, a UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier that put the Welsh on top of Group 9 with maximum points from three games. An x-ray has since revealed that the player fractured the third metatarsal in his right foot.
Six weeks out
Delaney, whose foot is in plaster, has been told he could face six weeks on the sidelines for his club side, English Premiership team Aston Villa FC. "This is clearly a blow, not just for Aston Villa, but for Mark," manager Graham Taylor told Villa's official website. "He's been involved in another great win for Wales, but this will obviously have taken the shine off that."
Back in action
The 26-year-old Haverfordwest-born Delaney should have recovered fully by the time Wales play their next qualifier, the return against Azerbaijan at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on 29 March. They then travel to Yugoslavia for another qualifier three days later.
