O’Neill urges shy boy Young to speak up for England

MARTIN O’Neill has told winger Ashley Young not to be overawed when he joins England as he looks to stake a late claim to a place in Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad.

Capello saw Young turn in an outstanding performance for Villa during Saturday’s draw with Wolves. He set up the first of John Carew’s two goals and delivered a stream of menacing crosses.

O’Neill is aware that the normally confident and bubbly Young can go into his shell when he joins his country. He said: “Does Young lack a bit of confidence when with England? He might do. That is something that seems to be on the rumour mill.

“Sometimes you get someone believing in you, which I do with Ashley who is naturally vibrant. But sometimes when they go away and are mixing with a group of other people, you don’t want to be the same character because you think of all those great players England possess who have been there and done it.

“Ashley doesn’t have to go and show off with England. All he has to do is perform in the manner he has for his club because that is what Mr Capello is doing, picking players on club form.”

Carew took his goal tally to 13 for the campaign and O’Neill is hoping he can stay fit and in form for the remainder of the season particularly with top scorer Gabriel Agbonlahor having picked up a foot injury.

O’Neill said: “John is coming into good form at the moment and seems to have been clear of the little niggles which have affected him.”

O’Neill is concerned, thought, about the fitness of central defender Richard Dunne who suffered an achilles injury against Wolves. He said: “Richard did well to come out for the second half. He was very sore at half-time. Is that the number of games catching up with him? I think it is a combination of those things.”

Wolves moved four points clear of the bottom three after following up their win at Burnley with another point. Manager Mick McCarthy revealed that midfielder David Jones has followed defender Jody Craddock and keeper Marcus Hahnemann in being offered a new contract.

Jones has just over 12 months remaining of his current deal and has put his knee problem behind him.

Hahnemann believes Wolves are starting to show good form. He said: “Are we safe? No, another 10 points. The good thing is we are playing well at the right times. We had our bad luck at the beginning of the season.”

Craddock’s fifth goal of the season and a James Milner own goal cancelled out Carew’s opener before the Norwegian international struck again eight minutes from time.

MATCH RATING: *** – Carew’s leveller made an exciting climax to a decent game.

REFEREE: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear) 5 – Carew’s first goal for Villa was offside and there had to be doubts about his second too. Mr Clattenburg also missed a stonewall late penalty claim for Milner.