Clark close to comeback

[Rip Van We Go Again]

sportinglife.com

Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish says defender Ciaran Clark is getting closer to returning to full training.

The Republic of Ireland international has been ruled out since late January after damaging knee ligaments in training.

Initial hopes that the 22-year-old would return within a month were dashed when he had a setback in his recovery but McLeish revealed he is now on course to start working with the rest of the first-team again.

"He suffered a wee setback and I think next week it will be six weeks since he was injured," McLeish told the club's official website.

"We felt it might be about four but the setback stretched it out a wee bit. But he is now running and kicking the ball.

"He is not doing any blocking work yet as he has still got a bit of tenderness in the knee. But I would say in about a week's time we should be able to evaluate whether he comes back with the group."

[Concrete John]

Good.

We can see the season out with him at LB and then flog Warnock in the summer.

[Mazrim]

I'd rather give Stephens a go at leftback as he's been playing very well in the reserves, leaving Clark to concentrate on mdifield and/or centre half.

I'm not happy he isn't doing any blocking work. There must be lots of walls that are behind schedule.

[Concrete John]

I'd rather give Stephens a go at leftback as he's been playing very well in the reserves, leaving Clark to concentrate on mdifield and/or centre half.

Not a bad shout, but I'd like to see Gardner get a decent few games in midfield alongside Petrov and have thus far been happy with the Cuellar/Collns partnership.

[Mazrim]

So have I. But he's cover for them plus I'd like to see him play alongside Gardner and Herd a few times as I think this has potential. Nothing against Stan but he's back to breathing through his arse on the hour again. He's due a break sooner or later and it would be nice to see some experimentation while we can.

[PaulTheVillan]

I'd like to see Clark as a CB, but at the moment Cuellar & Collins seem to be doing well.

Next season I think he'll make the CB position his own.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Agree with John, would like to see Clark at left back so we can jettison the walking turd that is Warnock.
Handy at defending and attacking corners as well.

[N'ZMAV]

Good. Clark is probably as good a player as we have.

[ROBBO]

But not at left back, he's too slow.

[Concrete John]

So have I. But he's cover for them plus I'd like to see him play alongside Gardner and Herd a few times as I think this has potential. Nothing against Stan but he's back to breathing through his arse on the hour again. He's due a break sooner or later and it would be nice to see some experimentation while we can.

Yes, I would like to see how a midfield three of Gardner, Herd and Clark perform at some point.  But as cover only he wouldn't be getting much game time and that would be in favour of a player that the vast majority of fans, and hopefully the manager, wants shot of in the summer.

I'd be looking at the following team for the rest of the season:-
Given

Hutton
Cuellar
Collins
Clark

Petrov
Gardner

Albrighton
Ireland
N'Zogbia

Gabby

Given

[Concrete John]

But not at left back, he's too slow.

I'd rather slow than shit.

[N'ZMAV]

Warnock has improved lately. I'd keep him in.

Clark on the bench for a bit, until the next CB get's crocked or we play poorly, then I'd replace one of them.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Warnock has improved lately. I'd keep him in.

Not too much, he's still pretty poor.

He's still capable of an embarrasing balls up at any point.

[Brend'Watkins]

Good.

We can see the season out with him at LB and then flog Warnock in the summer.

Why mess about, we should flog him now and sell him in the summer.

[villanic]

I’d have Clark in at left back when fully fit and drop Warnock as he is a mistake waiting to happen every game and the Collins/Cuellar partnership is working well.