Alex McLeish says he is yet to decide on whether to offer striker Emile Heskey a new Aston Villa contract.
The former Liverpool striker’s current deal runs out at the end of the season, and some sources have suggested that the player – whose form has failed to impress this term – will be allowed to leave the midlands club on a free transfer.
However, amid speculation that Heskey could rejoin his first club Leicester City, McLeish will give the 34-year-old the chance to show he is worth a new deal. The Scot was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying: “We realise that this is a transitional period at the club so it is not right for us to make any quick decisions. The overall position is that we'll review things at the end of the season.
"It's up to guys like big Emile to produce a few good performances between now and the end of the season by banging in a few goals, getting a few assists, and then we can address it at that time.
"From what I've seen in training this morning, I would certainly say he will continue to give everything. Emile is a guy who gives everything and does everything he can for the team.
"Will he go back to Leicester in the summer? I haven't got a clue."
Heskey has been sidelined recently with an Achilles injury, but is back in the squad for Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round tie at Arsenal. His manager added on his injury: "We've just been kind of managing him and allowing him to make an impact as a sub or for a certain amount of time in games.
"It just became a bit intolerable for him but he's had a few scans and injections. He's fit to play."