Crocked Charles N'Zogbia still has Aston Villa future
Boss Paul Lambert today insisted Charles N'Zogbia still has a Villa future – and could play again this season.
The Frenchman has been sidelined since June after rupturing his Achilles during a training run on holiday in Miami.
He was stripped of the No.10 shirt and handed No.36 in the summer – a hint he was not part of Lambert's long-term plans – and has since lost it to Daniel Johnson.
Other players given numbers in the 30s – Shay Given, Alan Hutton Darren Bent and Stephen Ireland – have been surplus to requirements. But the manager insisted N'Zogbia can turn his Villa career around once he is fit again.
"No, you're looking for something that's not there," he said, when quizzed if N'Zogbia's future related to his squad number. "The lad's hurt his Achilles and we've got to get him back fit. He's doing really well."
The 27-year-old has started running again but is yet to rejoin the squad. He could be available for the final games of the Premier League season.
"He's just started back with the fitness lads, doing little bits. But his match fitness is not there," said Lambert.
N'Zogbia cost £9m when Alex McLeish bought him from Wigan in 2011 and has made 60 appearances, scoring five goals.
