Revealed: Whty O'Neill is backing Villa's forgotten man Salifou to make an impact
Nov 21 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail
MOUSTAPHA Salifou has been offered encouragement that he still has a part to play with Martin O’Neill sympathising with the forgotten man’s frustrating Villa career.
Salifou has yet to make a single Premier League start in over two years at the club and has been restricted to cameo roles and a handful of cup appearances.
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He has even failed to make the bench this season and last featured in the first team when he was taken off at half-time in the ill-fated UEFA Cup defeat at CSKA Moscow.
Salifou has fallen behind Stiliyan Petrov, Steve Sidwell, Nigel Reo-Coker, Fabian Delph and Craig Gardner in the pecking order for a central midfield place.
But O’Neill has given the 26-year-old a glimmer of hope by revealing that the Togo international midfielder has been suffering with injuries and is still in his plans.
“He has been a bit unlucky,” said O’Neill. “He has had a lot of niggling injuries to contend with.
“He has spent a lot of time away on international duty and when he has been here and fit he has not been getting a run in the side.
“He has missed a few matches he might have been involved in with niggling injuries, but now he is hopefully raring to go again.
“It has been frustrating for him because he has not played the games.
“While he has been away we have brought in a few midfield players.
“We will see what happens. There’s no doubt he has the makings of a decent footballer and we have a busy programme coming up soon.”
Meanwhile, O’Neill has expressed his dissatisfaction that Stephen Warnock failed to be given a run-out by England boss Fabio Capello in last weekend’s friendly defeat to Brazil.
O’Neill was delighted that the former Blackburn left-back’s impressive form since joining Villa earned him a recall into the Three Lions squad.
But the manager was annoyed that Warnock travelled all the way to Qatar, only to be an unused substitute.
“I just wish he had been able to have got on the field for ten to 15 minutes,” said O’Neill.
“It’s disappointing for Stephen more than anyone else. He has done brilliantly since he has arrived at the football club.
“However, it’s the England manager’s prerogative.”
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