Source: Eurosport
O'Neill laments striker absence
Martin O'Neill has been left frustrated by promising striker Nathan Delfouneso missing Aston Villa's pre-season programme because of England Under-19 commitments.
O'Neill has high hopes of Delfouneso, who scored three times in his opening four first team appearances last season, including a goal against Hamburg in the UEFA Cup.
The former Celtic manager was hopeful that Delfouneso would be able to challenge John Carew, Emile Heskey and Gabriel Agbonlahor for a first-team spot this season. But Delfouneso is still away on European Championship duty for his country and netted twice in the 7-1 win over Slovenia which clinched a place in the semi-finals.
O'Neill said: "Nathan has been with the under-19s which is great in one sense but I am particularly disappointed because it is our pre-season. It would be important for him to be with us now. I have joked before that they keep inventing these tournaments.
"I see the benefit of Nathan taking his place in our team for the recent warm-up games. It would have been fantastic for him.
"I know that would give him the incentive where he would be thinking 'I'm vying with Agbonlahor, Heskey and Carew for a first-team place'. He's beginning to leave his mark here now and I just wish he was with us at this important stage."
