Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish fears on-loan midfielder Jermaine Jenas has ruptured his Achilles tendon but says parent club Tottenham will confirm the extent of his injury.
Jenas, on a season-long loan deal at Villa, was stretchered from the pitch with an ankle problem after 64 minutes of the 1-0 defeat by Manchester United.
That game had marked the 28-year-old's third appearance for the Midlanders, with a similar injury having already frustrated his season.
McLeish told Villa's official website: "I am bound by the fact Jermaine is not an Aston Villa player to reveal any news about him.
"We have left it in the hands of Tottenham and they will probably make a statement later on. So obviously it's not good news.
"I think Jermaine has ruptured his Achilles and that will take some time to sort out. It's for Tottenham to say what will happen as they are the parent club.
"We just hadn't got started with him at all and it's been very frustrating for both parties. But it must be hellish for Jermaine."
McLeish has been boosted by Chris Herd's return to training after he shrugged off a hip injury picked up against United.
"Chris has trained, he was feeling his hip. He was just getting a little bit of stress in it due to the amount of running he's been doing," he said.
"He's non-stop, the kid, he really puts himself about. I think he's merited a start in the team. I think I've needed his energy and athleticism."
