Pair set to play waiting game

Thomas Sorensen and Gavin McCann are set to play a waiting game and sit tight at Villa.

Both players have a year left on their contracts and are set to see their places come under threat next season.

Boss Martin O'Neill is looking to sign a goalkeeper and a central midfielder, as well as a right-back and a striker this summer.

He and his staff have looked at Celtic keeper Artur Boruc and Hearts shot-stopper Craig Gordon, and is believed to have assessed PSV's Brazilian Heurelho da Silva Gomes, who is rated at £8m-£9m.

The Villa boss is now in pole position to sign West Ham captain Nigel Reo-Coker.

No interest from top clubs has firmed up in Reo-Coker, leaving Villa favourites to seal an £8m deal once the Hammers give the go-ahead.

The arrival of Reo-Coker would put McCann's place at serious risk, with the England under-21 skipper seen as a central midfielder rather than in the wide right role he has also occupied.

But his versatility is something else which appeals to O'Neill.

Sorensen's Villa career has been occasionally blighted by the odd error and O'Neill has long been linked with replacements.

Sources close to Sorensen and McCann insist the players are waiting to see what develops first before making a decision on their futures.

But the initial signs are that the pair will not seek a move immediately.

O'Neill wants the pair to stay and fight for their places, but will understand their frustration if they are out of the team.

"It's all about playing for places next season," said O'Neill.

"I want all the boys out of the side to fight their way into the side, and if things work out alright, then they will stay in there.

"Gavin has one year left on his contract, and it's entirely up to him what he chooses to do.

"But if it were up to me I would want him to be a part of this football club for the future.

"I want competition for places. I can't imagine Gavin's happy. He's not that type of person anyway.

"The type of rotation that goes on nowadays wouldn't be for him."