Routledge told to bide his time for Villa

Feb 7 2008 By Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

WAYNE Routledge has been told that he may have to wait to show off his talents with the Villa first team, despite an encouraging goal-scoring debut for the reserves.

Routledge, Villa's only January arrival at a knockdown £1.25million, was on the mark at Derby but may have to sit out Saturday's visit of Newcastle with

Ashley Young set to return in midfield and Marlon Harewood set for a first league start up front.

Martin O'Neill said: "If you get any injuries, then people start coming into play.

"For instance, he (Routledge) told me he'd done 46 consecutive days training at Tottenham without a problem and then got cramp in our reserve game!

"But we generally involve everyone in our squad so he's in there at this minute.

"Looking at the team, apart from the last result, they had gone eight games unbeaten and I want it to be hard to get into the side.

"I don't want someone to do two training sessions and say: 'Listen, I'm available!'"

Shaun Maloney is left sweating on a place despite a decent performance at Fulham.

O'Neill added: "We have Ashley available again - injuries permitting following the internationals - and Shaun Maloney offered us plenty going forward in a very lively pitch at Fulham.

"I thought if we could get it to him in more advanced positions then he could maybe give us something."

Moustapha Salifou is also looking for a call-up.

O'Neill says the Togo midfielder has impressed for the reserves: "I'll understand the lack of match practice, for instance if Moustapha came in to play.

"I am digressing a little, but I have never watched a reserve game this season where the attitude has not been nothing short of terrific, really terrific.

"The boys are playing the game and that is very encouraging indeed."