Express & Star

Christian Benteke closes in on Villa return

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Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke is closing in on a return as he continues his quick recovery from an Achilles injury.

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The forward has handed the club a major boost and it is thought he could return to action by the end of next month.

He has been out since April after rupturing his Achilles, which forced him to miss Belgium's World Cup campaign.

Benteke was expected to be sidelined until Christmas but is on course to return sooner along with fellow striker Libor Kozak, who is also nearing fitness after breaking his leg in January.

"Touch wood everything is OK with their rehab and in the next few weeks they will be back," said boss Paul Lambert, ahead of tomorrow's Premier League visit of Newcastle.

"Hopefully, all being right, with a bit of luck if Christian doesn't have any major hiccups he will be back soon.

"I can't put a 100 per cent time limit on it but he is doing really well. To get him back training is important, first and foremost.

"At the minute the guy is doing great. He is looking in great shape, the medical people deserve a lot of credit.

"I don't want to put pressure on him but having him and Kozak back will be a big boost."

Meanwhile, Lambert has urged Andreas Weimann to step up his game and start scoring regularly again.

The 23-year-old Austria international forward scored just five goals and provided four assists in 37 Premier League appearances last season.

However, he kicked off the 2014-15 Premier League campaign with the winning goal against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium last Saturday.

Lambert has now said that he wants Weimann to build on that goal and start scoring more frequently.

"I think he's got to add more goals to his game," said Lambert.

"His work-rate is never in doubt and his enthusiasm for the game is second to none. Top players will be recognised by their goals. If you can do that, then you have a really top striker on your books."