John Carew is expected to return to the Aston Villa fold on Saturday for their meeting with Arsenal.
Villa striker shakes off knock in time to face Gunners
John Carew is expected to return to the Aston Villa fold on Saturday for their meeting with Arsenal.
The Norwegian striker has missed Villa's last four games with a calf injury but has put himself back in contention for the weekend.
He played an hour for the reserves in a meeting with West Brom earlier in the week and is now pushing hard for a first-team recall.
Villa boss Gerard Houllier has been short on attacking options of late and admits that Carew is likely to play some part against the Gunners.
He said: "He felt a bit stiff and sore at the end of the reserve game but he should be OK."
Ready
Houllier has also confirmed that Robert Pires is likely to figure against his former employers at Villa Park, with the veteran French winger having made his debut in Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Blackburn.
"Robert was supposed to play one half for the reserves but he did an hour so he will be in the 18 on Saturday, definitely," said the Villa boss.
"It doesn't matter whether it's Arsenal or any other team."
Promising midfielder Jonathan Hogg is Villa's only fresh injury concern ahead of the weekend, with the 21-year-old having taken a slight knock at Ewood Park.
Houllier said: "He actually twisted his ankle so we'll see how he is."
