Source: Team_Talk
Downing closing in on Villans action
Downing is stepping up his rehabilitation work after suffering the injury when in action for Middlesbrough, ironically against Villa, in April.
The winger, who made a £12million switch to Villa during the summer, has had the pin removed from his foot and is now able to do running work.
The 24-year-old said: "I'll hopefully be back training in mid-November and then looking to play within a month of that.
"The specialist has been telling me what to do from day one. I had been doing straight line running because I couldn't do twisting and turning.
"But I can do a bit of that now as well so fitness-wise it's just a case of building things up.
"The toughest bit was the first bit when I was on crutches but now the hard work is done and all those long days slogging away in the gym have been worth it.
"Having the pin removed was a big part of my recovery because that would show it (the foot) was fully recovered. Now it is just a case of stepping things up."
Downing suffered the injury in a clash with Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov at the Riverside Stadium.
He said: "I was going to give the pin to Stiliyan but I have already given him enough stick and made him feel guilty."
Prem W/out Top 4 2009/10 Win Outright: Aston Villa 11/2
