Tim Sherwood has heaped praised on 'warrior' Jores Okore
Nursing a knee problem, the Danish centre-back has put his body on the line of late to help Aston Villa over the safety line in the Premier League.
But with their top-flight status secured, Okore failed to train last week and sat out Sunday's defeat to Burnley.
The 22-year-old now faces a race against time to prove his fitness for Saturday's showdown against Arsenal.
Sherwood has hailed the lion-hearted centre-back's unselfish attitude after putting the club's own needs ahead of his own Wembley dream.
He 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.
Sherwood: Villa won't celebrate survival [AMBIENT]
He is a warrior who just wants to play for the club
Tim Sherwood
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"Last week he didn't train the whole week. He is a warrior who just wants to play for the club.
"His performances, particularly with this injury considered, have been excellent. 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'm hoping not surgery but I am not sure.
"It is related to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury (he suffered in September 2013) but the ligaments are still intact."
It is a further defensive headache for Sherwood with goalkeeper Shay Given (groin) and left-back Kieran Richardson (calf) already doubtful and Ciaran Clark (knee) out.