Alex McLeish believes the arrival of Robbie Keane at Aston Villa would offer the club a timely boost, with a loan agreement close to being tied up.
Villa boss believes loan deal for striker will benefit both parties
Alex McLeish believes the arrival of Robbie Keane at Aston Villa would offer the club a timely boost, with a loan agreement close to being tied up.
Villa are hoping to take the Republic of Ireland international on a short-term deal from MLS side the Los Angeles Galaxy.
It is expected that Keane, who has been training with former employers Tottenham Hotspur during the American off-season, will be in the Midlands on Monday to talk terms.
Villa came close to signing Ireland's all-time leading goalscorer when he was a 19-year-old making plenty of headlines at Wolves, but they have been forced to wait 12 years before coming close to getting their man.
McLeish believes that patience will be rewarded should a deal be struck, with Keane capable of giving the whole club a lift if he arrives to complement the goal threat of England striker Darren Bent.
"It will give everybody a lift - the team, the staff and most importantly the fans," he said.
Peak
"You are talking about a guy who is at his peak. At 19 there is a lot you don't know, but at 31 you certainly know a lot more.
"If he is not as quick as he was he can make up for it with the quickness in his head.
"He's been training with Spurs since he came home from America, and the reports we are hearing say he is in tip-top condition.
"Robbie wants to be at his peak for Euro 2012 and feels he wants to keep right on top of his sharpness, so if he has that kind of motivation it can only be good for us.
"He'll bring that enthusiasm. He has leadership qualities and he can score a goal.
"He's got great movement and can hurt defenders - he's a very experienced player."
