Unai Emery labelled both Emi Martínez and Tyrone Mings “doubts” ahead of Aston Villa’s FA Cup fifth round tie with Cardiff City on Friday.
The Villa boss met with the media for his pre-match press conference at Bodymoor Heath on Thursday afternoon, where he gave a fresh injury update on the back of Tuesday’s trip to Crystal Palace.
The Argentinian goalkeeper was withdrawn with injury at half-time at Selhurst Park, and Emery admitted his is unsure as to whether or not both he and Mings will be fit, though revealed Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara are closing in on returns.
He said: “Tyrone Mings, as well, doubt. Emiliano Martinez, doubt. Barkley is not for tomorrow. Onana, doubt. Kamara, doubt. They are close to coming back, but we will see this afternoon.
“Malen, he is sick, but hopefully he can recover for tomorrow. Being sick is different, but it depends.
“More or less, this is the news about the players, how we will be tomorrow.”
The Villans will train at Bodymoor Heath this afternoon, after which Emery will have clarity on which players are fit to face the Bluebirds.
With Pau Torres continuing his recovery from a broken metatarsal, and Matty Cash still sidelined after being withdrawn 20 minutes from time against Chelsea, the Villa boss suggested none of his players would be risked unnecessarily at Villa Park. Axel Disasi is again cup tied.
He added: “We will train this afternoon... to watch on the field how they are, the players. More or less, without the risk or without pain to be available for tomorrow, we will decide.
“But only the players, they are still being injured, like Pau Torres, like Matty Cash - close, but we will see this afternoon. Pau, not.”