Bouma recovering from injury

2008-09-10 14:15

England - Aston Villa defender Wilfred Bouma could return before Christmas after a serious ankle injury in July.

"The doctor has told me if I am lucky I could play in December but I have to be patient," Bouma said on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old Bouma dislocated his ankle just 15 minutes into Villa's 1-0 win over Danish side Odense in the second leg of the Intertoto Cup.

"The plaster has come off," Bouma said. "Gradually I can put some weight back on my foot and ankle. This is the start of a tough recovery but I am up to the challenge."

The injury twisted Bouma's foot into an unnatural position that shocked teammates.

"It was a horrific incident and when I saw the injury I was close to tears," midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker said. "I had to move away. It is awful when it's one of your own teammates."

Villa manager Martin O'Neill has been given a further boost by news that Carlos Cuellar emerged unscathed from two reserve games as he recovers from a calf injury.

However, midfielder Steve Sidwell has a knee injury, making him doubtful for Monday's Premier League game at Tottenham.

"We are monitoring him at the moment but he might be a doubt for Monday which would be disappointing for us," O'Neill said.

"It's unavoidable, these things can happen. But it's particularly galling as Steve has never picked up an injury before in his career."

- AP