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Aston Villa defender Jores Okore is a serious doubt for the FA Cup Final as his on-going right knee problems continue to haunt him.

The 22-year-old ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament last season and is now training just once a week after starting to feel the effects of a gruelling season.

Okore was rested on Sunday and has sat out of all training sessions in a bid to make the Wembley showpiece but already the centre-half has been warned that surgery may be the only way to rectify the problem this summer.

It means that he won’t be going to the U21 European Championships with Denmark, either, as Villa weigh up his best means of recovery.

“He won’t be in that under-21 squad,” Sherwood confirmed.

“He is one who is training once a week. Last week he didn’t train the whole week. He is a warrior who just wants to play for the club.

“If I want anyone to be in the trenches with me it would be him. Unfortunately the knee is too bad so he is going to need some assistance on that.

“I had a good chat with the Danish FA and told them what has been happening. He was assessed by them last week.

“I’m hoping he doesn’t need surgery but I am not sure. It is related to the ACL but the ligaments are still intact.”

Asked if he will be fit for the cup final, Sherwood said: "In his mind he thinks his job is done because he is doing it for the team. That’s the way he feels. “I want him fit. Then I can make a choice.

“He really has gritted his teeth and got us over the line in the Premier League because he thought that was the priority.

“He is not thinking about himself. His performances, particularly with this injury considered, have been excellent.

“I think him and Ron (Vlaar) have been quality. The fans don’t see that side. The guys know they are putting themselves on offer.

Were you in the Villa Park crowd on Sunday?

“They are going in trying to do their job having at times only been able to train once a week, especially when you need to be switched on and fit, so I think they have done brilliantly.”

Vlaar is another player who is sticking to a light workload.

Sherwood knows the Dutchman is experienced enough to manage his own body but cut down his training time himself to improve his low appearance record.

With Ciaran Clark out injured and Nathan Baker only just returning, Villa have had little choice other than to stick with Okore despite his niggling injury.

In recent games against West Ham and Southampton his fitness level appeared to have dropped but Sherwood is hoping the rest this weekend will help his chances ahead of the clash with Arsenal.

Baker’s return against Burnley will also help his selection.