Aston Villa buoyed as Wilfred Bouma close to a first-team comeback

Mar 26 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

WILFRED Bouma has given Villa a timely boost by declaring he is close to a first-team comeback.

The Dutch international defender has missed the entire league season after his horrific broken and dislocated ankle which initially looked to have put his career in doubt.

But after playing his second full game for the reserves against Stoke on Monday he could now earn a recall for the trip to Manchester United in 10 days.

“I’m getting closer,” he said. “I played another 90 minutes and it went OK.

“I think I played a little bit better than I did against Chelsea reserves. I felt more confident on the ball, stronger, everything is coming back.

“I really enjoy it with the reserves.It’s a high tempo and I love every minute on the pitch.

“I am glad there is some light at the end of the tunnel now. I was prepared to do anything to come back.

“It’s about how you can cope with the pain. If the pain is within the limit then you can push yourself on.”

Bouma says the support of manager Martin O’Neill gave him the backing he needed to make a full recovery.

Having been handed a two-year contract after his injury his long-term aim will be to win a further deal.

“I think it helps you as a player that the club and manager have confidence in you,” he said.