John McGinn hoping to boost Aston Villa after providing injury update

The skipper has been absent since undergoing minor surgery on a knee injury in late January.

McGinn was expected to be out for up to two months but with his recovery going well, the 31-year-old hopes he is now just “two or three weeks” away from returning.

Speaking on the Scottish Football Social Club podcast, McGinn said: “It has been tough to watch from the sidelines but I am fully ready to get back in and am in good shape for that.

“It was a maximum of eight weeks. It will be four weeks since the operation tomorrow.

“I am well on my way and will hopefully be back before then, maybe another two or three weeks.”

McGinn was one of three Villa midfielders to be struck by injury last month along with Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans. 

Kamara has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury, while Tielemans is not expected back until April at the earliest with an ankle problem.

McGinn’s return will be a significant boost to Villa, as they look to maintain their push for a top-five Premier League finish and challenge for silverware in the Europa League.

Unai Emery’s men play a two-legged last-16 tie in March and it is hoped McGinn could be involved.

The Scotland international is also hoping to star for his country at this summer’s World Cup. 

He said “People (in Scotland) keep saying to me, just get right for the World Cup. But Aston Villa are in their highest-ever position for the past few years.

“We’re chasing, hopefully, the latter stages of European competition. So I have a lot of things to deal with, club-wise.