Aston Villa's Christian Benteke: I'll be back faster than expected

The striker has handed the claret and blues a major boost during a chaotic and uncertain time for the club and boss Paul Lambert.

Owner Randy Lerner put the club up for sale on Monday and rumours persist over Lambert's future, with the pair set to meet in America this week. But Benteke has lifted the mood despite being ruled out for at least six months with an Achilles injury in April.

"I'm convinced I will be back faster than expected.

People who have said it will take me six months but I will be back faster," he said.

Belgium announced their World Cup squad yesterday with Benteke forced to miss out on the tournament.

Marc Wilmots' side face Algeria, Russia and South Korea in Brazil and Benteke insisted he will watch.

"When Belgium play their first game against Algeria (on June 17) there will be a little frustration, but I think I can easily watch," said the 23-year-old.

"Marc called me on the day I injured myself. He told me injuries are a part of football.

"In a career, there are tough times. He has even bounced back, after a lot of operations, to play at the age of 33.

"Why shouldn't I? I got a lot of support from Marouane Fellaini and Eden Hazard, but also Vincent Kompany called me to encourage me."

And the £7m man revealed exactly what happened when he suffered the freak injury during training in the first week of April.

"As soon as I heard a noise, I fell down," he added.

"I immediately asked a team-mate if it was not broken or if he saw a wound. The fact that he said 'no', was a relief for me. 'Phew, I'm likely to go to Brazil' was what I thought. I tried to stand up, but immediately fell down."