Martin O'Neill has ruled out Curtis Davies joining Celtic on loan in a bid to boost his match fitness.
Villa boss wants to keep defender in Midlands
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has ruled out Curtis Davies joining Celtic on loan in a bid to boost his match fitness.
Davies made his first-team return as a substitute in Saturday's FA Cup fourth round victory over Brighton at Villa Park.
The game was the 24-year-old's first action for five months after undergoing shoulder surgery back in September.
Davies had been linked with a possible loan move to the SPL giants in order to regain full sharpness.
While O'Neill is willing loan out some of his younger players, he is against risking losing Davies as he fees the defender could be required.
Position
"I wouldn't be in a position to be wanting to loan players out at this stage," stated O'Neill.
"The reason being, of course, is that if you do it internationally between two countries - and Celtic and ourselves would be that - you'd have to do it for the whole of the season.
"While it would be great for some of the younger players to get maybe a month's football, we may well need Curtis. Things can happen here.
"A loan would be absolutely out of the question, especially for a season loan.
"I'm looking at trying to get some of the younger players games but I'm mindful of the fact that after 28 days we can get them recalled."
