O'Neill's Bardsley hint
Martin O'Neill has hinted at making the move for Manchester United full-back Phil Bardsley permanent in the summer.Martin O'Neill has hinted at making the move for Manchester United full-back Phil Bardsley permanent in the summer. And the Villa boss says the club may look at his Old Trafford team-mate Paul Scholes' recovery from an eye injury to get Chris Sutton playing again. Bardsley arrived last month on loan for the rest of the season. The 21-year-old has played all four games so far and is looking to prove himself after being sent back by Rangers from a similar temporary spell before Christmas. Read the full story in the Express & Star
And the Villa boss says the club may look at his Old Trafford team-mate Paul Scholes' recovery from an eye injury to get Chris Sutton playing again.
Bardsley arrived last month on loan for the rest of the season.
The 21-year-old has played all four games so far and is looking to prove himself after being sent back by Rangers from a similar temporary spell before Christmas.
O'Neill said: "He's done pretty well and overall he's made a good impression at the club. At this minute I'm just grateful we've got him on loan from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
"I want to see how the season pans out. I haven't spoken to him about his long term future and won't do for a little while."
The saga over Sutton's eye injury is continuing.
The 33-year-old striker is still suffering blurred vision caused by a bruised retina sustained against United on December 23.
Scholes missed the second half of last season after suffering an eye injury against Birmingham last January, but has returned as good as ever this campaign.
O'Neill said: "I think Paul Scholes is someone he should have a look at. Maybe we should find out a bit more about that particular injury.
"I spoke to Chris again on Monday night. He's pretty disappointed it's taking so long. Chris would play if he could guarantee another knock on the head wouldn't worsen his vision.
"No one can give him that assurance so he's in an area of confusion.
"While it's been very slow, it might start to come good. If he thought it was never going to get any worse by being hit on the head again, I think he'd happy."