Hitzlsperger hit by injury

Last updated : 02 December 2004 By Pancho Villa

Der Hammer picked up the injury when he came on as a substitute during Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Manchester City. Although he has since had a scan that has revealed there is no serious damage, the player has admitted it is unlikely he will have recovered in time for the game at Villa Park against the resurgent Scousers.

The German international’s absence is not the worse thing that could happen though, and should ensure that Steven Davis is definitely going to be given another chance, a suspicion confirmed by David O’Leary. Unfortunately, it does mean that Mathieu Berson will probably be on the substitute’s bench and another midfield injury would pit the gangly Frenchman against Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso. An occurrence that lies somewhere between enjoying a rose-petalled bath with Nigella Lawson and enduring a Turkish sauna with her father Nigel, in terms of enjoyment.