The defender has been sidelined with a knee injury picked up against Manchester United last month. David O’Leary initially feared it could be long term and that might have contributed to the club’s reluctance to offer the Welsh international a contract extension. Delaney could soon find out whether or not this is the case when he returns for the Reserve League North leaders against Everton.
In the meantime he, Carlton Cole, who has a hip injury, and Gavin McCann (knee) have been cutting lonesome figures at a deserted Bodymoor Heath this weekend. The trio have not been given a long weekend off like the rest of the squad as they continue their rehabilitations and have been spurring each other on in the absence of their teammates. “We’re spending quite a bit of time together and n these sort of situations it’s always easier if there’s more than one of you. You try to keep each other’s spirits up, especially now with the rest of the lads off for a couple of days.”