Aston Villa: No rush to sort out Nigel Reo-Coker's expiring contract

Oct 7 2010 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

NIGEL Reo-Coker and Villa are refusing to panic about his expiring contract despite the midfielder’s team-mates underlining the importance of him remaining at the club.

Reo-Coker has been among the success stories so far of Gerard Houllier’s reign after impressing against Blackburn, Wolves and Tottenham.

The former West Ham captain will be able to leave for free next summer if his current four-year deal is not extended before it expires at the end of the season.

Reo-Coker would also be permitted to open talks with a foreign club in January and sign a pre-contract agreement to move if new terms are not agreed with Villa.

But the club and the player are believed to be content to bide their time over contract discussions while Reo-Coker re-establishes himself in the team.

Reo-Coker’s revival has spanned a handful of games and both parties are keen to monitor how much he plays over the coming months before committing themselves.