O'Neill quiet on Laursen future

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill will hold talks on Monday with crocked skipper Martin Laursen but will not make any any predictions about the centre-back’s future.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill will hold talks on Monday with crocked skipper Martin Laursen but will not make any predictions about the centre-back’s future.

Laursen is back home in Denmark with his family after being ruled out for the remainder of the campaign with the latest in a long line of knee setbacks.

The 30-year-old has been sidelined since mid-January after undergoing surgery and may need more “corrective work” but there is inevitable speculation over whether his career will be cut short.

O’Neill said: “Martin is still struggling. There are lots of things (speculation) flying around. I have given Martin some time to go back home and see the family.

“I will see him on Monday and will sit down and see where we go. I want to see what he is feeling.

“He might need some corrective work done to the knee. We will see but don’t let me go all doom and gloom at this minute.

“I will find out, see what he is feeling, see what he is thinking about, run it all through with the doctor obviously at the same time.

“He has got a lot to think about at the moment. He is obviously disappointed.”