John Carew gets a month to prove his worth to Aston Villa - or anyone who wants to buy him

John Carew has been challenged by Aston Villa manager manager Gerard Houllier to show he is worth a new contract or to put himself in the shop window if he wants to move.Play up to get out: John Carew now has a chance to impress Aston Villa - or potential buyersCarew is poised to lead Villa's attack in the absence of Emile Heskey, who will be out of action for a month after undergoing knee surgery.The Norway international, who previously played under Houllier at Lyon, is out of contract next summer.Houllier said: 'John is at the end of his contract and 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.'In both cases, I would say he has got to be at his best to put himself in the shop window.'Houllier insisted: 'There is no talk of a contract yet. I want to see people. We'll see about it after Christmas.'It is a big opportunity for John to play a run of games. When he wants to, John can be awesome. I think a run of matches could help.'Houllier is relieved Heskey's setback is only medial ligament damage after the training injury.He said: 'I thought it was a cruciate ligament the way he fell but it's the medial, which is one month.'Another Villa striker, Gabriel Agbonlahor, has returned to light training but will not be available for tomorrow's clash at Fulham.Houllier has blocked England Under-19 forward Nathan Delfouneso's hopes of going on loan for the time being because of the current injuries at the midlands club. All the latest Premier League team news ahead of the weekendTHE MIDLANDER: The new, exciting Houllier looks a lot like the old dull oneHoullier faces Villa striker crisis as knee injury knocks Heskey out for a monthAston Villa to rival Liverpool for £4m January move for Preston's St LedgerVilla warn over-zealous stewards after complaints over ejected teenage fanSetback for Villa as Petrov admits it will be three months before he's backASTON VILLA FC

Source: Daily_Mail