GARETH Farrelly has told Sam Allardyce he is ready and more than willing to return to frontline action at Villa Park tomorrow.

The Wanderers' boss says he will choose between the Dubliner and Djibril Diawara, who both figured in a midweek reserve team win at Leeds, if Paul Warhurst gets the thumbs down after checks on the back and rib injuries he suffered in the 2-1 win at Manchester United.

"I don't know what the manager's plans are but I'll be ready, no problem, if he wants me," Farrelly said today, confirming his own fitness after weeks of injury frustration.

"I've had two reserve games in a week and I'm looking forward to being involved again."

Farrelly could not have timed his comeback better with the prospect of back to back games against his two former clubs - at Villa and at home to Everton next Saturday.

They are two of the games he has looked forward to most since playing a major part in last season's promotion success. But, as keen as he is to show former fans what they are missing, the Dubliner is prepared to put his comeback on hold if it means putting his injury problems behind him, once and for all.

Massive games

"I want to be involved in every game and these are two massive games for me," he said after shaking off hamstring and knee injuries.

"But I just want to concentrate on getting fit, making sure injuries are no longer an issue and getting my season going again."

Farrelly, who played Premiership football with Villa and Everton before becoming Sam Allardyce's first signing in November 1999, missed the start of the season with a thigh problem but returned as a second half substitute in the dramatic home win over Liverpool then played an influential role in the scoreless draw at Leeds. But he was back on the sidelines again after suffering a hamstring injury in the Worthington Cup tie against Walsall and suffered a further setback when he injured his knee in a reserve team game.

"It's a nightmare to think I've been involved in just two of the 10 Premiership games up to now," he admitted, "but hopefully all that's behind me now."

Like everyone, Farrelly is concerned that Wanderers have struggled to produce home results to match their incredible away form but says it is all part of their Premiership education.

"The lads got that terrific result at Old Trafford - something few people would have predicted - but that's gone now and we have to press on from there," he said. "We have the players and the system that suits us away from home but good Premier League teams learn to adapt.

"We are still learning but we know what we have to do."