Steve Sidwell backs Nicky Shorey to return for Aston Villa

Mar 6 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

Nicky Shorey on the ball.

STEVE Sidwell has backed forgotten man Nicky Shorey to challenge Wilfred Bouma for Villa’s left-back role after praising his former Reading team-mate’s professional attitude.

Shorey has not been selected to start a single Premier League game since his costly mistake in Villa’s 2-1 home defeat to Middlesbrough almost four months ago.

And with Bouma now nearing recovery from a serious long-term ankle injury sustained last July, Shorey’s hopes of reclaiming the number three berth remain slim.

The diminutive defender has only played in Villa’s FA Cup and UEFA Cup games with right-footer Luke Young being preferred at left-back in the league.

But Sidwell, who along with Shorey helped Steve Coppell’s Reading into the top flight, is full of admiration for his ex-Royals colleague.

“Shorey’s a very good football player,” said Sidwell, who was reunited with Shorey when they arrived at Villa Park last summer.

“I’ve known him for a long time. His situation is the same as mine, it’s a new club and new surroundings.