Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill insists he will welcome back John Carew from injury before the end of the campaign but was unable to say when. Carew has been sidelined for the past two months with a back problem.

O'Neill said: "I am no soothsayer but John will definitely be back although I couldn't tell you a specific date. That would be hard to say.

"But he has been making progress, He has been out on the field (at Bodymoor Heath) doing some work.

"It would be great if he could get back because he has been an important player for the past two years.

"He is feeling a lot better and will have another appointment with the specialist in about a week's time."