FABIAN Delph has got a smile back on his face again and it’s all down to funnyman Carlos Cuellar.

The 21-year-old Villa midfielder has missed yet another pre-season break as he has spent most of the summer recovering from an ankle ligament injury sustained on the final day of the season.

It means the former Leeds star has been hitting the gym hard every day at Bodymoor Heath in the hope he can be fully fit for Villa’s opening game of the season at Fulham on August 13.

Injuries have blighted his claret and blue career since arriving at Villa Park in 2009 and now the past two seasons have consisted of long days with the club’s fitness staff.

It’s not been so bad in recent weeks though as Delph has had fellow injury victim, Cuellar, cracking the jokes to keep the spirits high on the treatment table.

“With Carlos around, every day is entertaining,” he said. “He has had a knee operation and his spirit is so high.

“His motivation and desire to get back fit just makes me look up to him as a professional.

“He is still the same chirpy guy who is joking and laughing every two minutes. That helps.

“If you are here alone you are dragging yourself through it where as if there is somebody else who is injured and working with you it keeps your spirits high and helps you push on.”

Unlike Delph, Cuellar’s future at Villa is still unclear.