Aston Villa are trying to tear up Jed Steer’s loan deal with Charlton so that the goalkeeper can be available to play against QPR on January 1, according to Sun journalist Alan Nixon.
The reliable journalist claimed via his personal Twitter account on Sunday that Villa’s number one goalkeeper Orjan Nyland has suffered an injury in training and Steer, 26, could be on his way back to the West Midlands in the next couple of days.
Nyland, 28, has been widely criticised for his performances this season, but he has remained a key player for Aston Villa with 22 appearances in the Championship.
OPINION
What is the point? Villa should have Lovre Kalinic available to play against QPR on New Years’ Day with the Croatia international already agreeing to join the West Midlands club. If Nyland is injured for a long time, then Villa still have other options to play in goals. Mark Bunn was on the bench for the 1-1 draw at Preston on Saturday and Andre Moreira is also still on the books at Villa Park. Do they really need Steer back? Of course they don’t. Kalinic will definitely be Dean Smith’s number one goalkeeper between January 1 and the rest of the season. He is Croatia’s first choice and is a major upgrade on Nyland, who has been super dodgy for the Championship side since joining in the summer. The only bad news about Nyland’s injury is that it might make it hard to get rid of him in January. Either way, Villa do not need Steer back as cover.