Aston Villa's Karim El Ahmadi challenges Manchester United's Danny Welbeck (R) during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England, April 22, 2013. (photo: Reuters)
Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark and midfielder Karim El-Ahmadi will face fitness tests before Saturday's Premier League trip to Norwich City, manager Paul Lambert said on Thursday.
The pair sat out Monday's 6-1 thumping of Sunderland, a result that gave the club a big boost in their battle to avoid relegation.
"Ciaran hurt his foot in training the other day. Karim got a groin strain the other day too," Lambert told the club's website (www.avfc.co.uk). "We will see how they are later in the week."
Villa are two places and five points above the relegation zone with 37 points from 35 games. Norwich are two places above them in 14th with one point more.
The 28-year-old Karim El-Ahmadi joined Aston Villa in 2012, where he made 24 appearances, scoring once.
He started his career in 2004 with Dutch side FC Twente and moved to Feyenoord in 2008 before joining Al Ahli Dubai on a 6-month loan in 2011.
El-Ahmadi also has 19 caps with the Morocco National team.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports)
Short link: