Sky Sports: Aston Villa striker John Carew looks set to overcome a groin strain in time for Saturday's Premier League clash with Bolton Wanderers. The Norway international limped out of last weekend's 4-0 thrashing at Old Trafford with the problem and was sent for a scan on Monday. But manager Martin O'Neill expects his leading scorer to be back in training on Thursday and is confident he will be available to tackle the Trotters. He told the club's official website: "I'm very optimistic about it, because he came in on Sunday and by Monday he felt a million times better. So hopefully, he'll be available. "He wants to play and he understands that sometimes you just get on with it. He's prepared to do that and feels very positive about playing on Saturday."

Sky Sports: Martin O'Neill has denied reports of a brewing row with England U21 manager Stuart Pearce. The Aston Villa boss voiced his disappointment after Craig Gardner returned from international duty with a thigh strain sustained in the friendly draw against Poland. And while O'Neill remains unimpressed that one of his players was injured in what he felt was a 'meaningless' match, he will not be seeking out Pearce to discuss the incident. Gardner is facing another fortnight on the sidelines as Villa battle to remain in contention for a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League. O'Neill told the club's official website: "There was a story about a 'spat' with Stuart Pearce. There hasn't been any spat. "I was disappointed that he (Gardner) got injured in a game that was really meaningless. "I've not had any run-ins with Stuart Pearce - he's trying to do his job. My gripe was that it was a meaningless game at an important club stage of the season."

Express & Star: Villa boss Martin O'Neill has played down reports of a spat with England under-21 boss Stuart Pearce after Craig Gardner was forced to stay on during the recent friendly against Poland at Molineux despite suffering a thigh strain. Gardner now faces a three-week absence with the injury but O'Neill said he had no problem with Pearce. "Craig will be struggling for a few weeks. It's very disappointing for the lad and for us," said O'Neill. "But I never said anything as adamant as seeking talks with him (Pearce). "Someone said: 'will you speak to Stuart?', and I said: 'I'm sure I will'. That's the way it was put. "I haven't spoken to him, he hasn't spoken to me. It's done at the end of the day. And I won't be seeking talks. The incident is over. "I have no problem with Stuart Pearce. I get on fine with him."

Express & Star: Villa were today boosted with the news John Carew should be fit to face Bolton on Saturday. The big Norwegian striker is expected to return to training tomorrow after fears he would be out for two weeks with a groin strain after coming off during the Manchester United game before half-time. But scans have revealed no damage and boss Martin O'Neill expects to have his nine-goal top scorer available. "There's a really good chance he will play," said O'Neill. "John has been really positive. That's a boost. "He had the scan on Monday. You can do umpteen scans and always find things, but more importantly John feels very positive towards it and at the moment, he's aiming for Saturday."

Birmingham Mail: John Carew is set to hand Aston Villa a welcome fitness boost by returning to training - and he is almost certain to lead the line against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. The club's nine-goal top scorer limped out of the defeat at Manchester United with a groin strain towards the end of the first half. But Martin O'Neill has revealed the Norwegian international is confident he can start a 13th successive match. The boss said: "I think there is a good chance he will play. John has been really positive and that is a boost. "He had the scan on Monday. You can do umpteen scans and can always find things at the end of the day but, more importantly, John feels very positive towards it and he is aiming for Saturday."

Birmingham Mail: Martin O'Neill today denied any rift with Stuart Pearce amid reports he was seeking "showdown talks" with the England Under-21 boss over Craig Gardner. O'Neill remains angry at the loss of his utility man for a number of weeks with a thigh injury picked up in last week's Molineux friendly with Poland. Gardner had even communicated to the bench he was carrying a knock but was not replaced until half-time. But O'Neill has no plans to discuss the matter with the footballing authorities, unless the FA phone him. There have been suggestions O'Neill has been on a collision course with Pearce since the summer when Gabby Agbonlahor could not be contacted for Under-21 duty for the European Championships in Holland. But O'Neill denied any 'spat' with Pearce and said: "It is not true. I never said anything as adamant as seeking talks with him. "Someone said 'will you speak to Stuart?' and I said 'I'm sure I will'. I think that is the way it was put. I haven't spoken to him, he hasn't spoken to me. "I have no problem with Stuart Pearce. I get on fine with him. The Agbonlahor incident was cleared up but I am very unhappy about losing a player in our squad from a meaningless friendly. But the injury is done and I won't be seeking talks."