Alex McLeish’s challenge to Enda Stevens
Wednesday 28th December 2011, 10:58AM GMT.
New-boy Enda Stevens will face a tough ask to dislodge first-choice left-back Stephen Warnock, according to Villa boss Alex McLeish.
The Ireland Under-21 international has now started training with Villa’s squad following his move from St Patrick’s Athletic and will be eligible to play for the claret and blues as soon as the deal is rubberstamped when the transfer window opens next week.
McLeish believes Stevens will be hard pressed to displace Warnock – who has not missed a minute of Premier League action this season – but is certain the Irish youngster will play his part at some stage.
“Enda will have quite a way to go to break in because Stephen Warnock has been in great form,” said McLeish.
“He’s a young player but we’re hoping when he joins he will get to grips with everything and adapt very quickly to put pressure on guys like Stephen.
“It will be nice to have another body in the squad and he’s a player who has got some potential.
“If you look at the squad, who do you leave out? I’ve got Ciaran Clark who can play there and he is playing well at the moment as well.
“If someone is out for whatever reason then there might be some opportunities, but it is up to Enda to hit the ground running in training and do well so I think ‘Let’s get this guy involved’.
UK Sport
Latest Blog — A week is a long time in football
This time last week we were staring down the barrel, third from bottom with a worse record than at the same stage last year, writes Saddlers blogger Mark Jones.
Saddlers Blog
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
“Stephen Warnock has been in great form,” said McLeish”.
No he hasn’t
Report abuse
“Stephen Warnock has been in great form” What planet is Mcleish on?? Anyone who plays Heskey in midfield out of choice has clearly no idea. Bring the kids through Bannan, Marc, Clark, Baker and no more Hutton he is tosh. King Carlos all the way. If this Enda kid is any good in training he should get his chance over Warnock. UTV
Report abuse
Guys, get the facts right, he’s not leaving St Pat’s to join Villa. He’s leaving Shamrock Rovers….
Report abuse
If your going to write up an article on a player please get the facts right. Enda was with Pats before he joined Shamrock Rovers.
He is moving from Rovers not Pats
Report abuse