Villa boss urged to land Kyle Walker

Villa defender Ciaran Clark has urged boss Alex McLeish to bring back Kyle Walker on loan - as the race to sign Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia starts to hot up.

Villa defender Ciaran Clark has urged boss Alex McLeish to bring back Kyle Walker on loan - as the race to sign Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia starts to hot up.

The Tottenham right-back made 18 appearances for Villa after joining on a loan in January, quickly becoming a favourite with the fans with his attacking play.

And Clark believes McLeish could do a lot worse than bring Walker in on loan again, if Spurs boss Harry Redknapp can be persuaded to part with the England under-21 defender.

Clark said: "Kyle was brilliant for us last season. I am sure the lads would love him to come back.

"We all know what a top lad he is and gets along with all the boys and we would love him to come back again but we realise Tottenham is his club, so we'll just have to wait and see."

Villa continue to monitor N'Zogbia's situation at Wigan and he remains McLeish's principal attacking target should Stewart Downing join Liverpool, although the Reds will make a move for the Frenchman if Downing stays.

Newcastle also present stiff competition for N'Zogbia's signature, with the 25-year-old winger a target for his former club.

Sources in the North East claim N'Zogbia is keen to link up with French compatriots Yohan Cabaye and Sylvain Marveaux, who he spoke to about returning to St James' Park.

Speculation in the Italian press today also linking Roma defender Jean Arne Riise with Villa is wide of the mark.

McLeish is set to give Stephen Warnock a chance to resurrect his Villa career.

[24link]