Last Updated: Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:07
Aston Villa defender Wilfred Bouma is closing in on a return to the first team after completing 90 minutes with the reserves.
The Dutchman has been out of action for 18 months after sustaining a dislocated ankle in the Intertoto Cup clash with BK Odense, way back in July 2008.
The 31-year-old saw his comeback hampered by complications in his recovery but has now completed a full 90 minutes on reserve team duty against Chelsea and is hopeful of returning to the Villa first-team soon.
He said: "I'm very pleased because it was my first game back after a long time out. I've only been back in training for 10 days so I was delighted with what I could do last night.
"Before the game we had said if I could get an hour it would be great and anything more would be even better, so to play the whole 90 minutes was great.
"This is now the third time so hopefully it's third time lucky and I've got everything bad out of the way and behind me."