Premier League: Paul Lambert confirms Christian Benteke is set to return against Manchester City
Last Updated: 03/10/14 12:59pm
Aston Villa forward Christian Benteke is set to make his long-awaited return from injury against champions Manchester City on Saturday, manager Paul Lambert confirmed.
Benteke, 23, has been out since early April with a ruptured Achilles and missed Belgium's run to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Brazil.
"If everything goes okay tomorrow and he feels okay, then I will put Christian in the squad," Lambert said on Thursday.
"He's come through the last few weeks unscathed and he played for an hour on Monday in the U21s. We will see how he is tomorrow but my intention is that he'll be in the squad.
"First and foremost, his leg is better - his Achilles is okay. He has no ill effects on it whatsoever."
Benteke played 63 minutes and scored a penalty in Villa U21s 3-0 win over Bolton at Bodymoor Heath on Monday in his first action since injuring his Achilles.
Since his £7m move from Genk in 2012, Benteke has scored 34 goals in 67 games for Villa, with his goals key to keeping them in the top flight after two seasons of struggle.
They are currently sixth in the table after a 3-0 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday with 10 points from their opening six games, and Benteke's return is set to be a huge boost.
