Villa boss Martin O’Neill expects Gareth Barry to put his protracted move to Liverpool on the backburner and knuckle down when he returns to training today.
Barry was due to report at Bodymoor Heath at 10.30am this morning following the club’s announcement yesterday that his bitter exile was to be concluded.
It is understood the England international has been training alone with non-league Lewes Town near his hometown of Hastings, Sussex in a bid to keep fit after being banned from training and fined two weeks’ wages for criticising the Villa boss in an interview with a Sunday newspaper.
On the face of it, Villa’s move appeared an olive branch in Barry’s direction but it has since emerged PFA rules state a player cannot be barred from his workplace for more than two weeks.
Liverpool have already failed with four bids for the midfielder but O’Neill revealed he still expects a fifth.
He said: “Gareth is going to come back, he needs to get some work done now. Liverpool have not come back to us. I’m sure they will do but we don’t know what might develop there, so it is best that he gets in now and does some training.
“There’s nothing more I can say on the matter.”
The ongoing Barry saga is not O’Neill’s only concern as he faces up to mounting injury problems just three days before their Intertoto Cup clash with Odense, which is almost certain not to include barry in the line-up.
A groin problem ruled Craig Gardner out of last night’s surprise friendly defeat at Lincoln, forcing Nigel Reo-Coker to play as a makeshift right-back. “Craig got injured yesterday morning and he’s got a bit of a groin problem,” O’Neill explained.
“Whether that makes Craig a doubt for Saturday, we’ll see how that goes. He might do a bit of training today and we’ll see after that.”
John Carew was replaced as a precaution at half-time after tightening up at Sincil Bank but O’Neill insisted Martin Laursen is not a concern despite last night’s absence.
Meanwhile, reports this morning suggest Middlesbrough’s left-sided winger Stewart Downing has emerged as a new target.
5 Comments
However much we would like to see Gareth stay with Villa, his head has been turned by Rafa’s untimely initial bid. It would be better all around to conclude this deal immediately, so that both clubs and player can plan for the new season. With regard to Stuart Downing, I remain unimpressed by his performances on the many time that I have watched him play for Middlesbrough and England. However, I am sure that in exactly the same way as Gareth Barry has moved up a level in his performance since being under the influence of MON and his excellent coaching staff, Stuart would prove to be a decent addition to the Villa Squad.
Gareth has a simple decision to make. “Do I stay or do I go?” If he wants to go, then he should submit a transfer request. If he wants to stay, then he should start making noises to that effect. A reconciliation with MoN, apologies to this team-mates and the supporters and sack his agent who advised him so badly over the NotW interview. But would that be enough?
We need players in fast after looking at the squad last night,but not downing most overrated player in the prem.
For all John Carew is superb in front of goal, he is a liability fitness wise. Dont get me wrong here, I sing his praises all the time, but if MON has to keep pulling him off for precautionary measures, its obvious his fitness level is not good enough. Harewood has to have a run in the side pairing up with Agbonlahor and another top class striker bought in for good measure.
Im hearing lots about our club captain we dont want players who dont want us let him go.Its time the Hare gets a run in the team i have a mate season ticket holder at West Ham he says play the Hare and he will score