Villa defender Freddie Bouma has rubbished reports he could be forced to hang up his boots.

The popular left-back has not played for Villa’s first team since suffering his horrific ankle dislocation in the Intertoto Cup against Odense last July.

Bouma looked close to a return when he started for the reserves in their 4-3 win over Chelsea in March but, a month later, he was forced to undergo a second operation to remove particles from the ankle.

Speculation yesterday claimed the Holland international was considering his future in the game but the former PSV player insists his recovery is “going great” and hopes to start running by the time Villa’s players report back for pre-season training.

“I have been doing rehab work for two weeks now and things are going really great,” said Bouma.

“To read newspaper stories with that sort of speculation is really frustrating for me because it’s progressing well. I have had a lot of calls, even from my friends in Holland, asking me about the stories.

“When people read things like this, some believe them. But things are going really well. I have to build up slowly now – some walking and general strengthening. I hope to start jogging during pre-season.”

Bouma is currently on the recovery trail back home in Holland and, after coming off crutches a fortnight ago, has already begun some light work in his fight to get fit.

And, having already seen one attempted comeback bid aborted, the Holte End favourite revealed he will not be rushed into a return.

“There is no real hurry,” he added. “I don’t want to rush back. It’s got to be right. There’s no set date for my comeback but it’s looking good and I’m in good spirits.”

Meanwhile, the club have distanced themselves from morning reports they are considering a move for Sol Campbell.

The former England defender, 34, is out of contract at Portsmouth and is available on a free transfer.

O’Neill is in the market for a new centre-back, following Martin Laursen’s retirement but it is understood Campbell’s age and wage demands have ruled him out of the running.