Martin O'Neill: John Carew Will Not Leave Aston Villa In January

Reports of Viking's departure somewhat premature.

Dec 9, 2009 8:38:26 AM

More On :  Aston Villa, John Alieu Carew
EPL: John Carew, Everton - Aston Villa (Getty Images)
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has refuted reports that striker John Carew is set for a January move to Turkish giants Besiktas.
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O'Neill insists that the big Norwegian forward remains a key part of the club's bid to break into the top four this season.

"I've no idea about that at all. Absolutely not – but it's that time of year again coming up. There's nothing in it," said the Ulsterman, according to Press Association Sport.

"I haven't spoken to John or his agent about it. He's played in Turkey before and I'm sure that won't be the only link to one of our players this season. I've not even bothered to chase it up.

"We're at a really important stage and John is very important to us. I would be pretty loath to be losing players.

"John has been an integral part of the side, he's done very well and I want a bit of genuine competition for places, which I think I have at the moment – maybe not everywhere but in a number of areas."

Meanwhile, Villa center-back James Collins is set for a return to full training this week after a three-week lay-off with groin and calf problems.

"James is improving. He still hasn't done any work with us yet but I'm hoping he'll be able to join in, maybe with a bit of luck, on Thursday," O'Neill explained.

"He's feeling much, much better. The groin seems to have eased a great deal and the calf problem he suffered seems to be not bad at all.

"He has done some running on his own today under the guidance of the physios. He's had a great start here and these injuries have been particularly frustrating for him.

"I don't think he would have anticipated walking off at West Ham knowing he wouldn't have played another game for us now for this number of weeks."

However, there was bad news as far as Dutch defender Wilfred Bouma, out for 17 months with a dislocated ankle, was concerned.

"'Freddie' had a bit of a setback with a toe injury," O'Neill revealed.

"He has gone to see a specialist who is recommending we immobilize it for a week or two and see how that works. It probably should do the trick.

"But again it's been a setback for him and it's been a rather frustrating time for him. We will see how he is in a couple of weeks."

Zack Wilson, Goal.com

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