JOHN Carew’s Villa team-mates have called for the out-of-favour frontman to be recalled in Emile Heskey’s absence.

The big Norwegian was set to be allowed to join relegation rivals West Brom on loan until the end of the season.

But Gerard Houllier has a dilemma whether to keep Carew at Villa and play him with Heskey banned for three matches following his red card for violent conduct against Sunderland in midweek.

Captain Stiliyan Petrov has his fingers crossed that Houllier resolves his differences with Carew for the team’s sake.

“I hope so,” he said. “It is really frustrating. I won’t go into details but I tell you what, if John wants to show these fans he wants to belong here I hope he is going to help us. We really need him.