Reports have surfaced surrounding the injury to Villa’s John Carew suggesting that the big Norwegian could miss the rest of the season.

Carew has missed the last month with a back injury and the player’s agent has, in the last 24 hours, cast doubt over his likely return date. As a result, O’Neill is likely to be forced into the transfer market with Defoe and Heskey possible targets…

Today’s news comes via the Norwegian media in which Carew’s agent, Per Flood, reveals that Carew could take several more months to fully recover from his back troubles…

“It is hard to say when John will be back. Maybe in February, maybe in March or later,” remarks Flod. “This is an injury that will take time. It is important that John is completely healed.”

In Carew’s absence, O’Neill has opted for a fluid 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation with Agbonlahor in a lone central role, and Milner and Young either side. It would appear that Agbonlahor has reacted fairly well to that, but in fact, since Carew’s absence from November 22nd, he has returned just 2 goals, supplemented by 3 assists.

Villa’s lack of cutting edge was certainly evident last night as they struggled to create against a determined Hull rearguard action. O’Neill appears to have little option than to consider transfer options when the window opens next month then.

Defoe is thought to be a target, although he seems set for either City, Spurs or even Chelsea. Heskey would be a more likely signing with O’Neill knowing the player well from his Leicester days, although his current injury plight could well put any transfer deal on ice.

In the meantime, fantasy managers appear to able to consider Milner as a possible short-term option as a mid-price midfielder, while the responsibility on Ashley Young to step up provide a cutting edge looks likely to continue in the month ahead.