Has Gardner Suffered A Serious Injury?

Last updated : 31 January 2010 By Tom Vickers

Rumours are circling that Villa's hotest prospect, Gary Gardner, could be ruled out for up to nine months with cruciate ligament damage.

No details are yet known about how the talented youngster sustained the injury and it has yet to be confirmed by the club, so we await news on the situation.

Fans of the Claret and Blue will be hoping that - if the speculation is correct - Gardner can recover in a shorter time period than first feared.

The Solihull-born 17-year-old, whose elder brother Craig has recently joined rivals Birmingham, has been in sparkling form for the Villa youth team this season and struck his 14th goal of campaign against Blues last time out.

He will be a big miss for Tony McAndrew's side, but more worryingly it could hinder his rapid rise to the top of the English game.

Let's hope for a speedy recovery!