Villa ace Davies to make shock return by September
Monday, 05 May 2008 16:32
Curtis Davies will move to Aston Villa permanently for £8 million
Aston Villa defender Curtis Davies has revealed he will make a return from injury ahead of schedule by September.
Davies has not played for Villa since March after suffering a career-threatening injury against
Arsenal in March.
The 23-year-old ruptured an Achilles tendon at the Emirates Stadium and was expected to be sidelined until November.
Davies was called up by England boss Fabio Capello to the squad for the friendly against Switzerland in February.
The centre back said he is confident of returning at the beginning of the 2008/09 season, in a bid to be considered for England's World Cup qualifiers.
"I think from the gaffer's [Martin O'Neill's] point of view he has got to think the worst case scenario because, if I'm not back until October-November time, then he might need someone else to fill in," Davies said.
"That is fair enough, I can understand those comments. But I'm positive and strong minded and I know I'm going to work really hard in the summer to get back.
"I'm still aiming for that late August-early September time to start playing again - whether it is playing in the reserves or the first team.
"I aim to be back out on the football pitch and actually playing games by then."
Davies joined Villa on a season-long loan from West Bromwich Albion last summer, and is expected to sign a permanent deal in the summer.