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Page last updated at 14:51 GMT, Tuesday, 14 April 2009 15:51 UK

Laursen comeback delayed further

Aston Villa captain Martin Laursen could face four weeks on the sidelines
Laursen had hoped to return against Manchester United on 5 April

Martin Laursen may not return to the Aston Villa team this season as his recovery from a knee injury has hit further problems.

Laursen suffered a new injury in December and aggravated it the following month.

He then suffered a further reaction last month after returning to training.

When asked by BBC WM if Laursen might be back in the near future, manager Martin O'Neill said: "I would think that that would be unlikely."

O'Neill added: "You just can't keep moaning because he's been out. You've just got to address it and try and go forward with it. But we have missed him this season.

"I've likened him to a Paul McGrath-type here. Paul McGrath was a wonderful, wonderful player for Aston Villa. He hardly trained during the week but came out and performed like he did because he was a world-class player.

"Martin Laursen has been immense for us and we have missed his presence. We've missed his presence defensively and, interestingly enough, we've actually missed it in the opposition box."

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Laursen aggravated his knee injury during Villa's win over West Bromwich Albion in January. He suffered a further reaction after light training during Villa's trip to Dubai last month.

The Dane announced his retirement from international football in January in an attempt to prolong his club career.



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