O'Neill won't rule out loans

Sep 6 2007 By Nick Davis, Birmingham Mail

MARTIN O'Neill is refusing to rule out loan moves for some of his fringe players when the Football League emergency loan window opens at the weekend.

And, with the likes of Stephen O'Halloran, Gary Cahill and Isaiah Osbourne sure to be targeted, the Villa boss is anticipating plenty of interest from the lower leagues.

Republic of Ireland international O'Halloran has been linked with a move to Championship high-fliers Ipswich Town, with reports in East Anglia suggesting Portman Road boss Jim Magilton is set to make a move.

O'Neill is also expecting calls about other players currently out of the first-team frame at Villa Park.

He said: "I explore any possibility of things that can suit the player and perhaps the club. I'm not talking about any particular player here.

"The minute we sign any player, we get inundated with calls from clubs wanting to loan this and that player. It's as if they're waiting for us to make signings before making a move.

"I'll review the situation and see what might suit both the club and the players."

With England goalkeeper Scott Carson appearing to have nailed down the No.1 spot at Villa Park, there could be interest in either Thomas Sorensen or Stuart Taylor.

But O'Neill is keen to see a three-way fight for the shirt and insists he is in no hurry to offload a keeper.

He added: "Thomas has been picked for the Danish squad, so he's fit and he's away at the moment.

"It's a luxury at this minute that I hope I can afford in terms of having three really decent keepers in position.

"At the moment Scott Carson is doing really well but the competition for places is something that this time last year I would have said didn't really exist.

"I'm not just talking about the goalkeeping positions, but everywhere. It's weird but people are breathing down other people's necks now.

"Thomas is fit now and he's gone off with Denmark and that will give him a big boost.

"Stuart Taylor did absolutely nothing wrong against Liverpool and Wrexham. You can have a big or a small squad, but it just depends on injuries."