Gallagher transfer decision reliant on World Cup plans - with Villa hovering

Conor Gallagher's hopes of forcing his way into Gareth Southgate's World Cup squad will have a bearing on any exit from Chelsea - and potential arrival at Aston Villa.

The midfielder has a cluster of Premier League suitors interested in securing his services and with the heart of Villa's engine-room still a priority for manager Steven Gerrard, a first-team berth is what the 22-year-old needs to showcase his talents. Gallagher has been included in Southgate's squads since the tail-end of last year and although he will be an outside bet for a call-up, his chances will improve markedly should he be commanding a regular slot in an established Premier League outfit.

Chelsea are reportedly in the hunt for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes. Boss Thomas Tuchel has plenty of cover in that area anyway. Under normal circumstances, Gallagher - following a successful spell last season on loan at Crystal Palace - might well want to stay and serve his time at Stamford Bridge, waiting for his chance to step up.

But the winter World Cup is now on the horizon for plenty of players and Gallagher will know that to have any chance at all of squeezing his name onto that squad list he needs to be playing.

Steven Gerrard waiting to send players out on loan

Villa have not sent out too many of their fringe and up-and-coming players out on loan.

And the reason for that is simple: Steven Gerrard wants to see how they cope in Australia later this month. Gerrard will be taking a cluster of them Down Under for the three-game tour in the Queensland Champions Cup.

Villa have three games organised against Leeds Utd, Brisbane Roar and Manchester Utd during their week-long stay in Oz. And Villa's boss will use the trip to run the rule over a number of players who he will either use or deem fit to send out to gain further first-team experience elsewhere.

There appear to be two distinct groups of potential loanees. The first is the more senior professionals - the likes of Cameron Archer and Jaden Philogene-Bidace who both went out to the Championship - and Kaine Kesler can be included in that group too, following his spells with Swindon Town and MK Dons in League One.

While others, such as promising youngsters Josh Feeney, Ajani Burchall and Louie Barry - the latter of whom needs game-time - are likely to be temporarily moved further down the league pyramid.

Silisano expected to be No.3 keeper after signing contract

Villa announced the a new contract for keeper Viljami Silisano this week - a move that has pushed the young Finn up the pecking order.

Steven Gerrard has Emiliano Martinez as his recognised No.1 with Robin Olsen - signed last season - to challenge for the regular gig between the sticks. With Lovre Kalinic's career ended by moving back to Croatia with Hadjuk Split that means there is a potential gap opening up for Silisano as the No.3.

Normally, that spot would be taken by Jed Steer - but the 29-year-old suffered an injury to his Achilles' tendon just three matches into his loan spell with Luton Town last season. The award of a new deal for Silisano suggests that Steer's knock - the initial prognosis from Hatters' boss Nathan Jones was that 'it wasn't a good one' - means Villa wanted to have their third-choice keeper tied down.

It automatically relieves the pressure on Steer to return while the ex-England Under-21 international overcomes the latest setback in his Villa Park career.