Sidwell eyes Pompey return

Midfielder admits injury frustration

Last updated: 8th October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Sidwell eyes Pompey return

Sidwell: Back to fitness

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Steve Sidwell has set his sights on making his return to action in Aston Villa's clash with Portsmouth next week.

The summer signing from Chelsea has yet to make his Premier League debut for Villa after suffering calf and knee injuries.

Sidwell is back in full training and he came through a behind-closed-doors friendly with Leicester City on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old is now hoping to be available to Martin O'Neill for the game with Portsmouth in 10 days.

"I've been training now for a while but I needed some games," Sidwell told the Birmingham Mail.

"Yesterday was the first so it probably showed. I just need a few more games and then I can get back into the swing of things.

Frustrating

"It's been a really frustrating time. It couldn't have come at a worse time coming to a new club and obviously trying to impress in the early stages.

"But it has happened. I've been mentally strong and I'm back now. I feel fine and fully fit and I am really looking forward to getting out there and getting among it.

"There are games there to play and there's fitness there to recover so if it goes well hopefully I will be in the manager's thoughts for the Portsmouth game.

"But saying that the lads have been doing terrifically - not just in the midfield but everyone - so it's going to be tough to get in there. I will just have to bide my time and get on with it."