GABBY Agbonlahor, Fabian Delph and Alan Hutton have handed Alex McLeish a triple fitness boost as the Villa boss turns his attention to Saturday’s trip to Sunderland.

Agbonlahor sat out yesterday’s open training session at Villa Park with a stomach bug despite reporting to the stadium but is expected to be well enough to resume training at Bodymoor Heath today.

Delph was able to join his team-mates for the event in front of 10,000 fans after overcoming a virus which ruled him out of last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to West Brom.

And Hutton also took part in the session after showing no ill-effects from a head injury which required seven stitches following an aerial collision with team-mate Charles N’Zogbia on Saturday.

McLeish remains confident of having Chris Herd available for the visit to the Stadium of Light after confirming the club have lodged an appeal against his controversial red card.

“We think we’ve got a good cause to lodge the appeal,” he said.

“It looks like a mistake has been made by a top-class official.

“We’re disappointed a mistake can be made at that level. He’s made a guess, he’s seen something and guessed that Chris stamped.

“Certainly the pictures show there was nothing of the kind, no gesture made.

“We’ve spoken through official channels and I’ve got to keep that private but I’m sure they’ll agree there has been a mistake there.

“I spoke to Phil, he has to go with (linesman) Darren Cann’s assessment at the time. They are a team as well, so I understand that.”

McLeish felt Herd’s 36th-minute sending off for an alleged stamp on Albion defender Jonas Olsson robbed his midfield of some much-needed athleticism.

“It certainly changed the complexion of the game. If we can get the card rescinded then it’s a small victory but it changed the dynamic of the midfield,’’ McLeish added.