Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill will check Olof Mellberg is in the right frame of mind to face Blackburn on Saturday as he moves closer to signing a pre-contract agreement with Juventus.
The Sweden international now looks certain to end his seven year spell with Villa at the end of the season.
O'Neill said: "Olof said he will tell me if and when he signs (for Juventus) but I need to speak to him to assess his frame of mind in terms of whether he can still play for us without being distracted."
Villa skipper Gareth Barry remains a major doubt for the Rovers game with the pelvic problem which kept him out of the 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Monday.
O'Neill said: "Gareth is improving and we will give him right up to kick off to prove his fitness."
The Villa boss again reiterated he has no offers for central defender Gary Cahill which meet his valuation of the player - believed to be in the region of £4-£5 million.
O'Neill said: "Olof said he will tell me if and when he signs (for Juventus) but I need to speak to him to assess his frame of mind in terms of whether he can still play for us without being distracted."
Villa skipper Gareth Barry remains a major doubt for the Rovers game with the pelvic problem which kept him out of the 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Monday.
O'Neill said: "Gareth is improving and we will give him right up to kick off to prove his fitness."
The Villa boss again reiterated he has no offers for central defender Gary Cahill which meet his valuation of the player - believed to be in the region of £4-£5 million.
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