Premier League Rumour Mill: Crouch assured of future at Liverpool

The Denmark international has been linked with a move away from Villa Park because he has lost his place to on loan Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson.

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But Sorensen maintains the stories are inaccurate and said: "They make me look like I've given up and I'm not willing to fight for my place.

Basically I've not even been fit, so I couldn't give the manager a decision to make. Now I am fit and I want to give the manager a selection problem. I've said all along to everyone at Villa that I'm here to fight for my place.

"I'm well aware of the situation. Scott has done well but I have to work hard and wait for my chance. That's been the bottom line.

"When the chance comes, hopefully I'll show what I can do, like I did with my international game over the weekend. It was probably one of my best internationals, so I was pleased with that.

"Obviously from my point of view, the most important thing is playing first-team football, that's no secret. But I'm not looking to leave the club to do that. That's never been my intention.

"I've got one year left on my deal and obviously if we get to next year and I'm still not playing, I would have to look at different alternatives.

"At the moment I'm fully committed to the club and I want to fight for my place. I want to push Scott all the way and that's what I'm determined to do."

Villa striker Shaun Maloney has also been told it is in his interests to fight for his place at the club. The former Celtic striker is homesick and sources north of the border have strongly linked him with a return to Glasgow.

But Villa manager Martin O'Neill said: "I'm not here to imprison anybody but by the same token, people sign contracts and for the most part, unless they've been really hard done by, they have to abide by these things."

Everton are trying to lure Barcelona's Mexican wonder kid Efrain Juarez Valdez and Peter Crouch has been assured he has a future at Liverpool, despite finding himself a regular fixture on the subs' bench.

Rumour of the day: Newcastle may sell Obafemi Martins at the turn of the year. No chance: Andriy Shevchenko's chances of a long stay at Chelsea are in the balance after he failed to impress boss Jose Mourinho in the 0-0 draw against Blackburn.