Birkir Bjarnason set for Aston Villa return before end of season, says Steve Bruce
Monday 10 April 2017 13:24, UK
Aston Villa midfielder Birkir Bjarnason is on course to return from a knee injury before the end of the season, says manager Steve Bruce.
Iceland international Bjarnason signed for Villa in January, but suffered a knee injury against Rotherham at the beginning of March, keeping him out for the last five weeks.
The 28-year-old signed a three-and-a-half year contract at Villa Park after signing from Basel, and Bruce said on Monday that he is making good progress toward returning to action.
"He's out of the leg brace and I expect him to be fit before the end of the season," said Bruce.
"He's fine. He's doing a bit of running and cycling now. He ran for the first time [since the injury] last week."
Assessments after the injury at the New York Stadium revealed that Bjarnason would be out for at least two months, but there is now real hope of an earlier than expected return.
Regardless, Bruce stressed that pre-season will be an important period for Bjarnason as he looks to start his first full season with the club.
"Pre-season will be important for BB [Bjarnason]," Bruce added. "He's a very decent player but he's got to adapt to the Championship."
"He could have scored four goals in the games he played but it didn't quite go for him."
Bjarnason has made eight appearances for the Villains since joining from Basel in a £2million deal.
