Martin O’Neill today predicted Ashley Young would be part of England’s 2010 World Cup squad – but he insists a new contract for the Villa winger is still to be agreed.

Young was again missing from Fabio Capello’s squad for the forthcoming qualifiers but O’Neill remains confident the 23-year-old will be packing his suitcase for South Africa.

“His time will come. Ashley would not be worrying about it – not at all,” he said.

“If and when England qualify for the World Cup I am sure he will be on the plane to go to South Africa. He will be an old man by then, though. He’ll be at least 24!” 

Now the transfer window has closed O’Neill will use the international break to focus on extending deals for Freddie Bouma, whose contract runs out in the summer, and Young, who still has three years remaining.

He is eager to ward off interest by offering Young a longer deal on improved terms, but he denied reports a new four-year agreement has already been shaken on. 

“No, we are in negotiation. Nothing has been agreed,” he said.

“I can spend the next two weeks dealing with the issues that I wanted to deal with – and that means the players who have got two years or less and those who I would like to keep.

“I have already spoken to Ashley’s agent, so we will see where we go. He still has three years left to run. So it is not a major problem.”