Friedel undecided over future

Friedel will surpass the record of 39 years and 257 days set by Ernie Callaghan in 1947 if he plays against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

He is out of contract in the summer and manager Gerard Houllier indicated earlier in the season he would hold talks on Friedel's future at Villa in February.

But the American will know in his own mind towards the end of the campaign whether he wants to carry on playing and said: "I don't know if it will be a good thing or a bad thing to be the oldest player ever to play for the club. I will continue to just keep myself as fit as possible and hopefully be chosen to play football matches.

"Age is a number. I don't think about it. I just go by how I feel. If I feel good and able to play - that makes me happy. If the time comes when I don't feel good, and I'm not able to play, I will start looking to do something else. As long as I feel good, I will carry on. I will know closer to the end of the season than right now."

Meanwhile, defenders Kyle Walker and Ciaran Clark are poised to return to training after missing the midweek win at Wigan through back and hamstring problems respectively.

Source: PA

Source: PA