Aston Villa Football Club

• Nickname:The Villains
• Founded:1874
• Manager:Paul Lambert

• Ground:Villa Park
• Capacity:42584

No quick return for Carew

12 Apr 2007 - 13:26:52

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Aston Villa striker John Carew will not be fit enough to face Middlesbrough this weekend, but Martin O'Neill will be able to call on the services of Wilfred Bouma and Gary Cahill.

Bouma limped out of the Easter Monday draw against Wigan Athetic with an ankle injury, while Cahill missed the Easter programme with a side injury, but the duo are expected to return to training before the trip to Teesside.

Carew has scored two goals in his seven Premiership appearances for Villa since his January transfer window switch from Lyon, but a calf injury has sidelined him since the draw with Everton earlier this month.

"John's improving all the time and we'll see how he is on Friday," O'Neill told the club's official website.

"Saturday will probably come too early for him, but we're hoping he'll be available for the Portsmouth game.

"It's been a blow to lose him, but it's pleasing to have taken four points from six in his absence. The players have responded very well."