Charlton Athletic Online

Pedro45's mole has uncovered the real story behind the rumours that Aston Villa's left back, J Lloyd Samuel, may possibly be returning to Charlton.

Young J Lloyd, still only 24, is upset at Villa - "very unhappy" I am told - due to not being a first team regular this season. He wants out, but has doubts about returning to play for his former club. My mole told me that this was due to the fact that "he gets boo-ed every time he plays at The Valley". This does not prevent him "wanting a move back to London".

There is no truth in any rumour that discussions have already taken place between Alan Curbishley and anyone at Aston Villa, or with the player or agent.

Charlton have struggled for consistency at left back this season; with Hermann Hreidersson moving to centre back, initially to cover a player shortage in this position, both Chris Powell and Jonathan Spector have been given games on the left side of defence. Powell started well, but seemed to tire toward the end of his tenure in the position. For the last three games, Spector has replaced Powell, but the American has not looked at all comfortable while the side stumbled past Portsmouth and then slipped to consecutive defeats against Bolton and Blackburn. The time may now be right for Hermann to move back to his former position and for Talal El Karkouri to be given a run at centre back.

Other options are limited; it is doubtful if young French defender Kelly Youga will be thrown into Premiership action when he returns from a loan spell at Bristol City. The only other left backs at the club are all younger than Youga, although nearly all have international recongnition in their age groups. Luke Young could switch sides if necessary, although Curbishley also has a shortage of cover at right back (something that Samuel could fill too?) should the need arise.

It remains to be seen if anything further will come out of this story in the January transfer window, and whether Curbs will make a bid, and/or if O'Leary will be tempted to sell. Samuel has a year and a half of his Villa contract to go, and the likelihood is that, should he leave Villa at all, he will go next Summer.