Richard Dunne can't wait to make Aston Villa return

The Ireland international has not featured for the claret and blues this season following an operation on a groin problem at the end of July, having endured a number of setbacks during rehabilitation.

In his absence Villa's defence have leaked goals with the worst start to a league campaign for 43 years, leaving the experienced centre-back desperate to return.

"It's hard when you're not involved and not training," said Dunne, who is hopeful of a comeback before the end of the year.

"It's been unfortunate that results haven't been great recently, but the manager says everyone's still playing well and hopefully it is just a matter of time, the chances we're getting will go in and we'll start climbing up the table again.

"I've set a few targets but I keep missing them. I'm hoping, fingers crossed, that I can start training again in a couple of weeks.

"It's been almost seven months where I've been not fit. It's frustrating, especially when I can do all the running and the rehab, but it's just that final bit I can't do.

"I've got to see the doctor and hopefully from there it will be all-clear. The last operation I had seems to have really worked, so I'm hopeful that I'll be back soon."

Dunne, 33, revealed he has rarely suffered from injury problems until this year. He added: "I've been lucky enough to not have many injuries throughout my career. But this year I'd already fractured my collarbone."