Source: SKY_Sports
Downing eyes Xmas return
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Stewart Downing has set his sights on finally making his Aston Villa debut[LNB] before Christmas.[LNB]Downing is stepping up his rehabilitation work after suffering a broken foot[LNB]when in action for Middlesbrough, ironically against Villa, in April.[LNB]The England 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.[LNB]The 24-year-old said: "I'll hopefully be back training in mid-November and[LNB]then looking to play within a month of that.[LNB]"The specialist has been telling me what to do from day one. I had been doing[LNB]straight line running because I couldn't do twisting and turning.[LNB]"But I can do a bit of that now as well so fitness-wise it's just a case of[LNB]building things up.[LNB]"The toughest bit was the first bit when I was on crutches but now the hard[LNB]work is done and all those long days slogging away in the gym have been worth it.[LNB]"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[LNB]up."[LNB]
