Berger going stateside to seek knee help

Aston Villa midfielder Patrik Berger will fly to America next week to try to solve the knee problem which has dogged his spell with the Midland club.

Berger signed on a free transfer from Portsmouth in the summer and has made only nine appearances in a Villa shirt – the last of which was as a substitute against Manchester City in October.

The 32-year-old former Liverpool player is to see renowned specialist Doctor Richard Steadman, who has also been striving to put Villa defender Martin Laursen’s career back on track after a long-standing knee problem.

Berger said: “The right knee isn’t very good. I’m still struggling. I’m going to America to see Dr Steadman and, if he decides to do anything, it will probably happen on Wednesday.

“I just don’t know what’s wrong, but at least this way I’ll know how long things are going to take to get me right.

“The knee is painful and I need to do something. The Villa physios have done a good job but I can’t really progress because the knee is so painful.

“I think it’s more serious than just a minor problem. It is something that will not go away. It’s just going to hang around if I don’t do something about it. I want to play football again and need to get it sorted.”

Villa manager David O’Leary said: “Patrik is still having problems with his knee and I don’t know when he will be back. It is nothing extraordinary. But the surgeon is saying he has had a little reaction and we’ve got to settle him down.

“It is the knee he has had five operations on which is why he probably came to us on a free transfer. We will just have to wait and see what happens.”