Allback warns Villa

Swedish striker Marcus Allback has admitted he may have to consider his future at English Premiership club Aston Villa if he has another spell out of the first team.

Allback has been given only a bit part by Villa manager Graham Taylor since signing from Dutch side Heerenveen for two million pounds (3.2 million dollars) last year.

It has been the first time in his career that Allback, who played for his country in 2002 World Cup, has not been a first-team regular but his professional attitude has earned praise from Taylor.

Now back in the final 16 for games, Allback came on as a substitute in Saturday's 1-0 home success over Middlesbrough but as he gears up for the New Year's Day clash with Bolton, Allback admits he may have to look for fresh pastures.

"I am back in contention now but there was a while when I wasn't and it is frustrating then. If I get another five or six-game spell when I am not in consideration then maybe I will have to weigh up my future," said Allback.

"I will start asking myself 'is this enough for me?' It is frustrating because I have never been at a club where I wanted to play well so much.

"I love it at Villa. It is a fantastic club. But that just makes it tougher to take when I am left out of things.

"The hardest part is that I have never had a five or six-game run to prove to the manager what I can do. The most I have had is three starts in a row. I am a positive person but it is hard not to get down when you are not getting chances to play."

Allback has been assured his role with Sweden is currently secure despite his lack of first-team football.

But he admitted: "The unwritten rule of the international team is that you cannot play if you are not in your club side."