Bouma could make early return

Injured defender undergoes successful surgery

Last updated: 28th July 2008

Bouma Wilfred

Bouma: Recovering

Everybody is very optimistic Bouma will make a rapid recovery.

Martin O'Neill
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Aston Villa are optimistic Wilfred Bouma will return to action ahead of schedule following successful surgery on his dislocated right ankle.

The full-back was stretchered off after 12 minutes of Saturday's Intertoto Cup third round second-leg victory over Odense following a collision with an opponent.

Initial fears suggested that Bouma, who was immediately rushed to hospital, could be facing up to six months on the sidelines with what looked an horrific injury.

But after the Bouma underwent a corrective operation on Sunday, Villa manager Martin O'Neill believes the Dutchman could be welcomed back before the end of the year.

"The operation went very well and everybody, including Freddie (Bouma), is very optimistic he will make a rapid recovery," O'Neill told the club's official website.

"Freddie's in good spirits. It was a bad injury but with the level of treatment he's had and the post-operative prognosis we've been given, we're all hoping to see him back, perhaps sooner than everyone expected on Saturday night."

Prem W/out Top 4 2008/09 Win Outright: Aston Villa 11/8