Villa are to withdraw midfielder Lee Hendrie and striker Darius Vassell from the England under-21 squad for this weekend's play-off clash with Yugoslavia.

Both Hendrie and Vassell were named in the squad by coach Howard Wilkinson last week for Sunday's match in Luxembourg. The inclusion of Vassell did come as a major surprise as he has been out of action for the last few weeks with a hamstring strain.

He is still unable to return to action and Gregory wants him to make his comeback for Villa rather than have to try and test his fitness in a the crucial play-off tie.

It is the second time this season that Vassell has had to pull out of the under-21 squad when he was also sidelined by a hamstring strain. While Vassell was always a certain non-starter, the withdrawal of Hendrie will come as a something of a surprise.

Hendrie has been struggling with a calf injury. But he was able to figure in the side that tackled Southampton at Villa Park last weekend. But it appears that the calf strain is still a nagging problem for home grown Hendrie. Gregory is keen for the 22-year-old to take advantage of this weekend's break in the Premiership action so that he can shake off the nagging calf problem once and for all.