John Carew could be offloaded by Aston Villa at the end of the season.

The Mirror says club officials are dismayed about Carew pulling out of their UEFA Cup last 32 second leg at CSKA Moscow with a back niggle.

Boss Martin O'Neill took a severely weakened squad to Russia and badly needed the experienced hitman to lead the line. But Carew, who came off the bench to score against Stoke on Sunday, declared himself unfit to play on the plastic pitch at a freezing Luzhniki Stadium. After their European exit, Villa may cash in on the striker.

Galatasaray and Werder Bremen are among the longstanding admirers of the 29-year-old Norwegian international.