Striker Marlon Harewood set to start Aston Villa's Uefa Cup game with MSK Zilina

Dec 3 2008 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

MARLON Harewood’s long-term future remains in doubt with Martin O’Neill today unable to give him any cast-iron assurances.

O’Neill admitted that up until last week he still had fears Liverpool might come in for Gareth Barry in January and so cannot make promises.

Harewood will be thrown a lifeline against Zilina in the UEFA Cup tomorrow with his first start in two months.

The burly striker has been linked to a number of clubs, particularly Stoke City, after playing only 50 minutes of league action all season.

O’Neill is adamant that he simply does not know what lies in store for the 29 year-old, who has just next season on his contract.

“The speculation is not coming from me. I wouldn’t know what the future holds,’’ said O’Neill.

“Until myself and Gareth Barry had a chat the other day I wouldn’t have even been sure about January.

“It is not that I am not sure about what we would like to do, it is that I am not sure about other people. Who is to say that Liverpool would not have come back in in January.

“I just don’t know. I don’t want to be making absolute statements and then finding out you are eating a fair dose of humble pie about two days later.”

O’Neill is now looking for Harewood, a £4million signing from West Ham,