O’Neill ponders bids for defender

Villa boss Martin O’Neill today revealed he had received bids for defender Gary Cahill and would decide the player’s future by the end of the week.

Birmingham, Derby, Wigan and Sheffield United are among a clutch of clubs who have been linked with the 22-year-old.

Blues were reported to have had a £4m offer rising to £5m turned down.

O’Neill said: “There have been bids for Gary, but I’m not confirming anything about the clubs.

“There’s more than a lot of interest in Gary. I’ve spoken to him a couple of times and his agent. I’ll monitor it. We’ll see.”I’ve spoken to Bryan Robson at Sheffield United and he’d want him back. So there are lots of things, lots of speculation, and I’ll be in a better position to know what’s what towards the end of the week.”

O’Neill admitted he was torn with allowing Cahill back to the Blades on loan as there was no recall option.

“If Sheffield United took him on loan, he couldn’t come back to us until the next window as he has already done 93 days,” he added.

“And there are the same rules with regards Premier League clubs as well - it goes from window to window.

“I couldn’t bring him back after 28 days.”

O’Neill also confirmed

he had allowed young

midfielder Isaiah Osbourne to join Leicester on loan - when he is fit.

“Osbourne has had a bruised thigh for about a week, but he’s getting there.

“Now we’re out of the FA Cup and the games are down to one a week, it might be good for him to get a couple of games.

“Isaiah would only go for a month.”