Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is hoping John Carew will be back in action sooner rather than later following his back problem after seeing a specialist on Monday.

The Norway international is set to undertake a course of specialist treatment in the hope of curing the problem, which flared up after the single-goal win in Prague.

The former Lyon player has started only two of Villa's last nine games, although he is still joint leading scorer this season with seven goals.

O'Neill said: "John saw a specialist on Monday and the course of action we are taking is a treatment thing plus a bit of rest and then we will see how he is in a couple of weeks' time.

"We are hoping he won't need surgery. It is always a possibility if things don't work out but, at the moment, we think the course of action we are taking is the right thing to do.

"I am not sure exactly how long he will be out, but it is not one of those situations where we are going to be rushed into doing something."