James Milner: Reo-Coker’s return big boost for Aston Villa

Mar 9 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

JAMES Milner believes Nigel Reo-Coker’s return to full fitness has come as a welcome boost for Villa.

The £8million arrival from West Ham 20 months ago has missed the last 10 matches due to a hamstring injury picked up at Doncaster in the FA Cup.

Reo-Coker had started half-a-dozen consecutive games at right-back after being converted into the role due to an injury picked up by another emergency full-back, Carlos Cuellar, at West Ham in December.

The 24-year-old has been on the bench for the past two matches against Stoke City and Manchester City, and is now in line for a recall against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

That is because Cuellar is set to partner Zat Knight in defence, with Curtis Davies hauled off for the second time in three league games in the defeat at City.

Milner, who ironically was asked to play at right-back for the second half of the 2-0 defeat in Manchester, says Reo-Coker deserves praise for the way he has adapted to life as a full-back.

“It’s not easy playing out of position and Nige has adapted to that brilliantly because I think he’s got all the attributes to be a great right-back,” he said.

“He’s slipped into that position brilliantly. Sometimes you don’t want to play out of position and I don’t know how Nigel feels about playing there, but he hasn’t complained.

“He’s just gone in there and done a good professional job and that’s the sort of player he is.”