Conor Hourihane will undergo a late fitness test ahead of Aston Villa's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Liverpool.
The midfielder missed the Premier League defeat at Sheffield United after picking up a knock in training but Villa boss Dean Smith was optimistic he would be available for Liverpool’s visit to Villa Park on Tuesday.
Hourihane has become a mainstay in the Villa midfield, making 13 appearances this season and scoring five goals.
Facing a much-changed Reds team, Smith may feel he can afford to make changes of his own. With Jed Steer (Achilles) out injured, Orjan Nyland could start in goal while the likes of Ezri Konsa, Neil Taylor, Douglas Luiz, Trezeguet, Jonathan Kodjia and Jota might also get some game time.
Striker Rhian Brewster is Liverpool's major doubt. With the bulk of the first-team squad on Club World Cup duty in Qatar, Under-23s head coach Neil Critchley will take charge of a young squad.
Brewster, who has played in Liverpool's two Carabao Cup ties this season, scoring a penalty in the shoot-out win over Arsenal in the last round, sustained an ankle injury in training and will be assessed ahead of the game to determine if he will lead the Reds' front line.
