Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph is unlikely to play any part in the run-in after his manager Alex McLeish confirmed ankle damage.
Delph suffered the injury during his loan spell with his former club Leeds in their Championship game against Coventry, and having returned to Bodymoor Heath for treatment, scans have revealed that the problem is worse than first anticipated.
It is a bitter blow for the player who has been dogged by fitness concerns over the last few years having suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury and torn ankle ligaments.
McLeish is refusing to put a timescale on the former England under-21 international's latest setback but is vowing to stand by him.
The Scot told the Express & Star: "Delph is not fit. I don't know if he will play again this season but he's rolled his ankle sufficiently enough to rule him out.
"Fabian doesn't do injuries in little bits and starts, when he does it, he does it.
"It's a shame because we wanted him to go out and play regular games to see if he could get over those ailments that he's had.
"Hopefully, if he comes back stronger in the summer then we will see a different Delphy."