Limited loan at Leicester for Isaiah Osbourne

Jan 16 2008 By Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

ISAIAH Osbourne will only be allowed to link up with Leicester City for a month on loan.

Ian Holloway wants the 20-year-old to make his Foxes debut at Norwich City on Saturday, before tough games against Crystal Palace, Blackpool, Plymouth, Watford and Norwich again.

Osbourne has started two Carling Cup games, including the defeat to Leicester in September, and one Premier League game all season.

He has made the bench just once since that start, at Bolton in October, but Martin O'Neill needs him as cover once Osbourne shakes off a thigh injury.

The Villa boss said: "Osbourne has had a bruised thigh now for about a week, but he is getting there.

"Leicester have asked about him going on loan. I said 'yes' and had he been fit he might have gone last week. First of all, before he does anything, he has to get fit.

"I have said in general terms that now we are out of the FA Cup and the games are down to one a week, in many aspects it might be good for him to get a couple of games.

"You are always torn between boys going out on loan and then picking up some injuries.

"It is a balancing act the whole time but Isaiah would only go for a month, and maybe get some games he needs in the time he's away from us."