Nicky Shorey and what the future holds for him at Aston Villa

Sep 4 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

NICKY Shorey has been told to knuckle down and fight to keep his place in the Villa first team after Martin O’Neill denied trying to force him out of the club.

The wantaway left-back looked set to join Portsmouth on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day, only to snub the temporary switch at the last moment.

Pompey claimed the diminutive defender got cold feet after failing to be given assurances by boss Paul Hart that he would walk into the side at Fratton Park.

And Shorey has reported back to Villa, where he still has two years remaining on the contract he signed last summer after leaving Reading for £3.5 million.

O’Neill has told Shorey he is still in his plans at Villa Park, providing he is prepared to battle it out with new boy Stephen Warnock and Wilfred Bouma.