Aston Villa are considering a move to bring midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger back to the club, providing they can offload Carlos Cuellar.

Villa boss Alex McLeish has admitted that Hitzlsperger, who is a free agent after leaving West Ham in the summer, is a player that he is interested in.

However, Villa must sell before they can buy as they try to reduce an £80m wage bill.

"Thomas’s name has been mentioned," said McLeish. "The midfield, in terms of experience, maybe we are a little bit lacking.

"But we won’t be bringing players in until we trade. We still have a very heavy wage bill and we’ve got to try and work to adjust that.

"There’s players at the club we respect totally, but they haven’t played much first-team football and we have to try to let them seek football somewhere else."

Cuellar is believed to be one of those who will be allowed to move elsewhere, with Rangers his likely destination after the two clubs agreed a fee.

Hitzlsperger made 99 appearances for Villa during his spell at the club from 2001 to 2005.