VILLA MANAGER GERRARD HAPPY WITH JADEN’S LOAN MOVE
STEVEN Gerrard has welcomed Jaden Philogenebidace. back to Aston Villa as he thanked Stoke for the work done with him on loan. Philogene-bidace showed glimpses of his potential during half-a-season under Michael O’neill, even if his time in the Championship was also frustrated by a niggling knee injury. The 20-year-old forward ended up making six starts and five sub appearances, scoring once in a man of the match turn against Swansea.
He is in a trio of young Villa prospects who have been leant to teams in the second tier, with Cameron Archer, also 20, scoring seven times in 20 appearances for Preston while 24-year-old Kienan Davis, who would have joined Stoke last summer but for an untimely injury, playing a key role in Nottingham Forest reaching the play-offs. Philogene-bidace and Archer have both returned to their parent club as decisions are made about whether to keep them or loan them next season.
Gerrard told Birminghamlive: They’re back in today. They can’t play, unfortunately, but we’re quite light in terms of numbers. They’re back in today and they’re going to continue to train with us and will be around the group.
“It gives me an opportunity to sit down with them, and have some good chats about the plans with them moving forward. They both sprung in today smiling away. “They’ve both enjoyed their loan experiences, so we thank their clubs for looking after them and giving their time and the opportunity, Stoke and Preston, in these two situations. They’ve done a great job with them.” He added: “Keinan is still, obviously, at Forest trying to get fit for whatever part he can play from now until the end of the season. Kaine Kesler will return (from MK Dons) in the coming days. He finished last night, and he’s someone who we want to have and get eyes on as well. “Yeah, it’s an interesting few months for them all. We’ll analyse them closely. They’ll be involved in pre-season, a lot of them will travel with us and we’ll get opportunities for them - I’m looking forward to
that.”