George Burley says there is no problem with the team spirit at the club in the wake of Amir Karic's attack on him and the club yesterday. Like David Sheepshanks, Burley put Karic's coments down to the Slovenian's bitterness at his failure to prgress at the club.

Burley said: "There is nothing wrong with the harmony of the club. Considering we are bottom of the league our harmony is excellent. Amir Karic is disappointed and there is no one more disappointed than myself. When you buy players you obviously hope it will work out, unfortunately with Amir it didn't."

Burley added that Town are trying to find the World Cup-bound player a new club. The Blues boss met with his players after the outburst: "I spoke with the players before training on Thursday and they are 100% behind everyone at the club and that has always been the case."

This week has seen the longest period without a game in some while and for the first time Marcus Bent has had a number of training sessions with the club. George Burley has concentrated on Town's attacking play after failing to score in the last three league games. Burley said that "it has been nice this week to work on our finishing."

Of the injured players, Matteo Sereni is now OK while Jamie Clapham and John McGreal are both worries. Clapham has a knock to the the knee and McGreal a calf problem.

Martijn Reuser, who could replace Clapham if he misses out, had a slight groin pain after the reserve game on Wednesday, but looks likely to be OK. Titus Bramble is ready and raring to go and would be a certain starter shoud McGreal miss out.

Pablo Couñago limped off in the second half of the reserve game but his hip is not giving him too much trouble and he ought to return to training at the weekend, Ulrich Le Pen is back in training and will be OK for Town's crucial Christmas fixtures.

Recent absentees Alun Armstrong and Finidi George will both be one week fitter after both playing recent games despite not being at peak fitness.

For Villa, Public Enemy Number One Hassan Kachloul misses out as he is having a brain scan on Monday. Peter Schmeichel could return while David Ginola is suspended and Alpay is injured.

Photo: Action Images

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