Aston Villa looking at keeper Marian Kello

Aston Villa were today ready to step up their interest in Slovakia goalkeeper Marian Kello should Brad Guzan decide to leave the club in the summer.

Kello, 29, last night finalised an early release from his contract with Hearts after a four-year stay at Tyncastle having not played since January when he rejected a move to Austria Vienna.

And boss Alex McLeish admitted Villa could be on the lookout for a new backup to first-choice keeper Shay Given with Guzan, whose deal expires in the summer, thought to be keen to quit the claret and blues in search of regular first-team football.

"We have looked at a lot of goalkeepers in case Brad decides to leave us. We have looked at some potential number twos," said McLeish. "I think we are looking at his (Kello) situation but it doesn't mean we are signing him as we are looking at a number of goalkeepers. We will try and take goalkeepers on trial if we can first and foremost if Brad tells us he doesn't want to stay."

Meanwhile, McLeish has urged Darren Bent to remain cautious about trying to rush himself back to make England's Euro 2012 squad but revealed Richard Dunne should be fine for Ireland's campaign.

"Richard is at a better stage than Darren in terms of getting to the Euros. Richard should be back before the end of the season. He feels good," he said.