Source: SKY_Sports
Laursen closes on Villa return
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has his fingers crossed that Martin Laursen will be fit for selection for the trip to Manchester United on 5th April.
The Villa captain has been sidelined since rushing back into action in the Midlands derby with West Brom on 10th January when he aggravated a knee injury, which later required surgery.
Laursen was a key figure in Villa's positive first half of the season and O'Neill is understandably keen to have the centre-back, who arrived in England from AC Milan in 2004, at his disposal as he targets a place in the UEFA Champions League.
And the Villa Park boss has now pencilled the spring meeting with United at Old Trafford as the date for the Dane, who has announced his retirement from international football during his time on the treatment table, to make his comeback.
O'Neill said: "Martin is making good progress at the moment and he is deadly keen to play again.
"After the Liverpool game (on 22nd March), he has got that extra fortnight to get ready because he no longer plays international football so you are probably looking at the Manchester United game.
"Everyone knows how well he has done for us during the past couple of seasons and it will be good to have as many players available as possible for the run-in."
Meanwhile, Villa could be boosted by the return of full-back Wilfred Bouma for their match against Tottenham on 15th March.
The Dutch international has been out of action since the summer after suffering an horrific dislocated ankle during Villa's participation in the Intertoto Cup.
But Bouma made his first 90-minute, competitive appearance in almost eight months in a reserve meeting with Chelsea on Monday and O'Neill sees positive signs.
The Villa boss said: "I'm really pleased he got through that game. Psychologically it was great for him. He's still a bit rusty but has got a good attitude and wants to be involved in the final three months of the season.
"Will he feature against Tottenham? We will see. He will come abroad with us and we will be able to monitor him very closely.
"He will step up his training and physical work and get really sharp."
