Ridgewell comeback for reserves

Last updated : 14 October 2004 By Pancho Villa

The England Under-21 international is preparing to put on a Villa shirt for the first time in two months when he lines up for Villa Reserves against their Newcastle United counterparts this evening. The defender, one of the club’s brightest prospects, starred in pre-season before limping out of the final game of their Swedish tour with knee ligament damage.

With his main rival to partner club captain Olof Mellberg, Martin Laursen, also sidelined, Ridgewell’s return will be welcomed by David O’Leary, and the youngster will be presented with the perfect opportunity to cement a place in the starting line-up when he regains match fitness.

Suddenly, Villa’s problem position this season is looking brighter, especially with the composed performance of another reserve centre-back, Gary Cahill, for England Under-20s against the Netherlands on Sunday.