Aston Villa: Gerard Houllier warns John Carew that he is playing for his future

Nov 5 2010 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

GERARD Houllier has warned John Carew he is playing for his future after challenging the fans’ favourite to make the most of Emile Heskey’s misfortune.

Carew will lead the line against Fulham at Craven Cottage tomorrow after Heskey was booked in for surgery on his knee problem last night.

The Norwegian targetman is out of contract at the end of the season and Houllier will not decide whether to offer him a new deal until January.

But with Heskey sidelined for a month and Gabby Agbonlahor unlikely to be fit for at least another week, Carew has an opportunity to impress.

And Houllier has told the striker he transferred from Lyon to Villa that he must strive to impress the claret and blue coaches or other potential suitors.

“John is at the end of his contract,” said Houllier.

“It is an opportunity to express what he wants – whether he wants to stay at the club or whether he wants to go somewhere else.

“But in both cases I would say he has got to be at his best to put himself in the shop window. From what I’ve seen in training yesterday morning he was enjoying his football and looked extremely good.

“There’s no talk about a contract yet. I want to see people. We’ll see about that after Christmas.

“John is there and it is a big opportunity for John to play a run of games.

“In training he’s showing that he’s got the appetite and the desire to do well.

“John when he wants to can be awesome absolutely fantastic. I think a run of matches could help.”