Brad Friedel to wait on Villa future

Goalkeeper Brad Friedel will have to wait until February to find out if he has a future with Villa - as team-mate Steve Sidwell completes his move to West Ham.

Friedel turns 40 in May and has been a mainstay for Villa since his move to the claret and blues from Blackburn in July 2008.

But Villa have been linked with Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller, who is out of contact in the summer, while Glasgow Rangers stopper Allan McGregor is also on boss Gerard Houllier's radar.

And the manager admitted he will consider whether to offer the American an new contract in just over two months time.

Houllier said: "We are looking at goalkeepers and we've told Brad. If he is fine in February we'll keep him. We've told him that if he feels OK.

"The rest of the speculation about certain names is absolutely pure invention.

"I've spoken to Brad and said obviously you're 39, so I need to look after the future.

"But I'm perfectly happy with you. And if he feels fine, why not? So we'll tell him in February. How do you feel? If he feels all right, we'll keep him.

"He's been a top professional, players should follow his example in terms of attitude workrate and doing things right. That's why he's lasted so long.

"If he stays he'll stay as the first team goalkeeper but, at the moment, we are looking at several goalkeepers."

However, Sidwell is poised to put the finishing touches on his move to West Ham for an after undertaking a medical at Upton Park yesterday.

The emergence of youngsters Barry Bannan and Jonathan Hogg has persuaded Houllier to let Sidwell leave Villa Park, which will help ease the club's wage bill.

Wolves and another unnamed club registered late bids for the 28-year-old midfielder, but the player himself was keen to move back to his native London.

Houllier said: "Steve is at the end of his contract. It is not a secret that he lives in London and his family are down there.

"Otherwise I think Wolverhampton would have been interested in signing him.

"If the medical is OK I think the move will be permanent. He did OK as long as he was here, so he goes with out best wishes."