Lee Hendrie Bemoans Villa Luck

Lee Hendrie appears to be back to square one as he finds his chances once again limited to the bench at best.

The midfielder suffered a calf strain before the Hammers game and had to sit the game out, now he is looking to break into the team or move on.

He told the official site: 'I strained my calf before the weekend and I've had to let it settle down because it flared up. I tried to train on Monday because I wanted to play in the reserves on Tuesday but that made it worse, so I've had a scan which shows a slight strain. It's been awful for me so far and I need something to change - I need some good fortune because I feel the lowest of the low at the moment.'

'I've lost another opportunity to show the new gaffer what I can do. This has just topped it off after what happened last season. I was hoping for a fresh start but I've had a couple of niggling injuries which have set me back - that's the story of my luck over the last 18 months. It's good around the club and it's great the new gaffer has come in - he's very good. But it's hard not being able to show him what I can do.'

He continues bemoaning his luck saying 'That's when you start looking at yourself and thinking 'when is it going to come good?' 'I spoke to the gaffer last week and we had a chat and he told me he wants me to get back to the way I was. The new arrivals have maybe pushed me down the pecking order, but I'm trying not to think of it that way.'

'I'll always try to force myself back in. I played in the friendly against Lincoln and scored two which gave me a lift but on Friday I ended up straining my calf. It's a matter of me giving myself a chance. At the same time, I've got to get back training and I'm hoping to start again next week. Usually I'm quite good with injuries but I've got to be careful.'

He added: 'There's not many reserve games this season and it's something I've thought about. I'd sooner be playing in our team, but my chances are quite limited and that could be an opening I may have to consider because I want some games under my belt.'

Hendrie was linked to loan moves to West Bromwich Albion, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Southampton and moves abroad last season.

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