O'Neill's hints that Carew is to stay with Aston Villa next season

Apr 23 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

MARTIN O’Neill has dropped a broad hint that John Carew will remain at the club next season.

The Norwegian striker only signed a one year extension last summer, meaning he has still two seasons remaining.

The pair clearly did not see eye to eye over the now infamous lap-dancing cub incident, which Carew denied, before the Ajax game in October.

But O’Neill has been particularly praiseful of the 29-year-old over the past few weeks.

Carew has scored in five of Villa’s last 10 matches to take his tally to 13 in all competitions.

O’Neill clearly sees a future in his partnership with Emile Heskey and Gabby Agbonlahor with a fourth striker to be added in the summer with Marlon Harewood sure to depart.

“They’ve played great. We’ve got Gabby, we’ve got Emile and John,” said O’Neill.

“We look, if they stay fit, as if we have a potent threat for not only the back end of this season but next season going forward.