Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has revealed fears that on-loan midfielder Jermaine Jenas could be sidelined for a long-term stint with a ruptured Achilles injury.

It has been speculated that the 28-year-old could miss the rest of the season after being stretchered off in Villa's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday.

"I am bound by the fact Jermaine is not an Aston Villa player to reveal any news about him," McLeish told the club's official website. "We have left it in the hands of Tottenham and they will probably make a statement later on. So obviously it's not good news.

"I think Jermaine has ruptured his Achilles and that will take some time to sort out. It's for Tottenham to say what will happen as they are the parent club.

"We just hadn't got started with him at all and it's been very frustrating for both parties. But it must be hellish for Jermaine."

Jenas joined the Midlands side on a loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer.