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Jores Okore could be in line for his first start of the season against Southampton a week today as Villa come to terms with a defensive injury crisis.

The centre-half has yet to feature this term but may be called upon as injuries to Ron Vlaar, Philippe Senderos and Nathan Baker are assessed in the coming days. Okore captained Denmark U21s on Friday as they drew 2-2 with the Czech Republic.

Boss Paul Lambert has been reluctant to use the 22-year-old so far this season because of doubts that he may not be ready for the standards of the Premier League after a season on the sidelines.

However, next week’s Villa Park clash with the high-flying Saints may present an opportunity for him to start, possibly alongside Ciaran Clark should the injured trio not recover.

Clark has been away with the Republic of Ireland but didn’t feature in the defeat to Scotland on Friday night.

Playing on Monday night could work to Villa’s advantage as the extra day’s rest may aid Vlaar and Senderos’s recovery. Baker is unlikely to be available, though, after he twisted a knee and was stretchered off in the latter stages of the 0-0 draw with West Ham nine days ago.

Look: Jores Okore

Both Senderos and Vlaar returned to Bodymoor Heath from their respective national teams for treatment on calf injuries over the weekend.

While Vlaar’s strain may rule him out, any fears that his latest setback is a recurrence of the previous injury that has haunted him for the past three seasons have quickly been eased,

Holland boss Guus Hiddink confirmed: “It’s not the same place as last time – that was totally different.”

Vlaar has already sat out of four Premier League games this season with the problem and has missed 19 in total since moving to the Midlands.

Lambert will be waiting anxiously to see how severe the injury is, although the early signs suggest he will will be absent against Saints.

If that is the case it will be a big blow to Villa, who desperately need their key players fit as they look to end a dismal run of seven games without a win.

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Senderos has already received treatment on his injury after breaking down on international duty with Switzerland but is also a doubt.

He sustained the blow in training last week and was immediately ruled out and sent back to the Midlands.

Despite his fine early-season form, Senderos has not started since the defeat to Manchester City as other injuries have kept him out.

His leadership and organisation skills are vitally important to Villa going forward and a quick recovery will be needed to help ease the club’s growing troubles.