Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish may recall Gary Gardner from his loan deal at Coventry City to ease the club's injury crisis.
Jermaine Jenas was the latest player to be sidelined for the West Midlands club after he damaged his Achilles during last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.
However, under the terms of the loan deal, Gardner can only return at the end of December.
"There is every possibility Gary will come back, but we'll see," said McLeish.
"I think it is a big ask to say Gary is going to be the guy who will blow everybody away. We've got three out on loan as it is so I suppose we are down to 21, 22 players."
Villa have moved up to eighth in the Premier League table after Saturday's 2-1 win at Bolton Wanderers.
