Aston Villa legend Paul McGrath has urged manager Martin O'Neill to tread carefully with Martin Laursen's comeback.
"You can't be too careful when you've got problems with your knees and I should know with what I went through," McGrath told the Sunday Mercury.
"Perhaps in hindsight it was a mistake for Martin to come back and play in that game because it's obviously done him more harm than good.
"But I can understand why he wanted to get back playing and I can understand why Martin O'Neill wanted him back in the team.
"Martin's such an important player for Villa and obviously they have missed him but it's important that he is 100 per cent right before he plays again.
"I'm sure Martin O'Neill understands that and will ease him back in rather than rushing him, especially with the season nearly over."