Nicky Shorey has his fingers crossed Freddie Bouma will be fighting fit next season – even if the England international is still a Villa player.

Left-back Bouma is on the recovery trail in his native Holland, after undergoing a second operation on the ankle he dislocated almost a year ago – although no comeback date has been officially set for the former PSV star.

But it seems unlikely he will be ready for the start of the new campaign, leaving Shorey, whose own future at Villa remains up in the air after an indifferent first season, as the club’s only fit recognised left-sided defender.

Yet despite the possibility of Bouma’s return to action pushing him closer to the exit door, the former Reading man is keen to see the Dutch defender back.

Shorey said: “I was as gutted as anyone when Freddie didn’t come back as quickly as we all hoped.

“We hope he’ll back for pre-season fighting fit. I think everyone wants to see that and I’m no different. Freddie’s a great lad.

“When you’re fighting for positions, whoever gets the nod, you’ve just got to back them fully with your support.

“Hopefully you’ll get a chance down the line.”

Villa manager Martin O’Neill was prepared to sell Shorey in January, but no offers were tabled.

Despite re-establishing himself ahead of right-back Luke Young, it is understood Villa would again be willing to sell – if they were offered a significant slice of the £4.5million they paid Reading last summer.