John Carew today denied rumours of a bust-up with boss Martin O’Neill, declaring himself committed to the Villa cause.

The striker missed the Wigan, Rapid Vienna and Liverpool games – fuelling speculation of a row with O’Neill.

The official line was Carew had a toe injury for the season opener followed by a virus.

But after his goalscoring return in the second leg of the Europa League qualifier against Vienna on Thursday, the Norwegian hitman says there are no issues.

He said: “I’m ready. I feel very good. I just had a fever for the last game, nothing else, nothing more dramatic and now I’m fine again. I’ve been training and I’m back in the team.

“It’s part of football and I didn’t read it (speculation over a bust-up). I didn’t have to deal with it because I didn’t read it.”

The 29-year-old marked his return with a goal in the 2-1 win over Vienna as Villa bowed out of Europe on away goals after the tie finished 2-2 on aggregate.

But, despite his strike, Carew isn’t thinking about returning to the top of the scoring charts.

“I never think about it before the season. First I must do a good job for the team and the rest will come naturally,” he said.

Villa return to Premier League action when they welcome Fulham tomorrow and Carew has called on his team-mates to forget their Vienna woes and remember the memories of Monday’s 3-1 win at Liverpool.

He said: “We had a good game against Liverpool and we have to forget Vienna. We have to take the feeling from Liverpool into tomorrow, take charge at home and get a good start.

“They have a good team and it’s a game we have to win as we’re at home.”

Meanwhile, Villa expect to complete the signing of Manchester City defender Richard Dunne in the next 24 hours.

The Republic of Ireland defender held talks yesterday after the clubs agreed a £6m fee.

O’Neill said: “He has been here. As we speak, the deal has not been completed. Normally there are quite a lot of issues to be sorted out but overall we have had a good chat.”