Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish doesn't expect Enda Stevens to make an instant impact.

The Shamrock Rovers left-back is joining Villa on January 1.

Asked when Stevens can expect to form part of his plans, the Scot told the Birmingham Mail: "I don't know, I don't really know.

"If you look at the squad, who do you leave out? I've got Ciaran Clark who can play there and he is challenging at the moment as well.

"If someone is out for whatever reason then there might be some opportunities, but it is up to Enda to hit the ground running in training and do well so I think 'Let's get this guy involved'.

"It is down to the quality in the personnel available and always will be. Enda will have quite a way to go to break in because Stephen Warnock has been in great form.

"But we're hoping when he joins he will get to grips with everything and adapt very quickly to put pressure on guys like Stephen."