Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is disappointed for Gareth Barry following the ankle injury that threatens the Manchester City midfielder's World Cup place.

Barry left Villa Park last summer for City.

"I was asking the players if they'd been in touch with him and if they were going to do that," said O'Neill.

"Sometimes an injury gets reported and it's exaggerated so then it's better to hear it from the player himself. I would hope to be in touch.

"I hope Gareth is alright, it would be a huge disappointment to him (to miss out on the World Cup) and obviously on top of the disappointment of not making it into the Champions League.

"I'd definitely get in touch with him."