Aston Villa right-back Mark Delaney is to visit top knee specialist Dr Richard Steadman in America in a bid to solve the knee problem which has dogged him all season.

The Wales international, who is out of contract in the summer, has not kicked a ball in anger since Martin O'Neill became manager although he was a non-playing substitute for the home Barclays Premiership clash with Newcastle in August.

O'Neill said: "Mark is very frustrated. He wants to go and see Dr Steadman which we are hoping to arrange to see what Mark's situation is."