Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has hinted that striker Christian Benteke could return this weekend.
The 23-year-old has been injured since April after ruptering his Achilles and missed Belgium’s world cup campaign during the summer but has returned to training.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Lambert said they are monitoring the striker’s condition: “We’ll see how he does this week,
“You’ve got to remember he’s been out for five months and has only been in full training for two weeks. I’ll have that dialogue with him. We’ll see how he feels.
“If we think he’s justified to go in with his fitness levels then that’s something that myself and the staff will decide.
“First and foremost I don’t think there’s any pressure on him. You don’t heap pressure on somebody that’s just coming back from that injury.”
Benteke joined Villa in 2012 for £7 million and has scored 34 goals in 67 games.
Villa, who lost 3-0 to Chelsea on Saturday, host Manchester City next weekend.