Seventeen year-old Italian striker Federico Macheda is in line for a shock senior call-up at Manchester United against Aston Villa.

Injuries and suspensions could see an SOS promotion for highly-rated Roman striker Macheda as a reward for an eye-catching hat-trick in United's 3-3 reserve draw on Monday night.

`Kiko' opened with a well struck cool penalty at St James' Park but his two open play finishes were first class.

The teenage hitman, plucked from Lazio's youth system by United in 2007, has made good progress and been elevated to Ole Solskjaer's reserve squad.

Old Trafford legend Solskjaer has already outlined Macheda's potential. He told the Manchester Evening News: "Federico is a big talent. He has the ability and can score goals. It is not easy to leave your home country at 16 and come to a new culture.

"But he signed pro in August last year and has buckled down. We expected him to make progress and he has."