Richard Dunne to resume training at Aston Villa
Aston Villa were today handed a major boost with experienced defender Richard Dunne ready to resume training this week.
The Republic of Ireland centre-back, who has not played for Villa this season, travelled to the United States for a third bout of surgery on a troublesome hip and groin problem last month.
Dunne had initially returned to training in November only to suffer a setback which prompted the club to send him to a specialist on the other side of the Atlantic in a bid to solve the problem.
And the 33-year-old's rehabilitation has gone sufficiently well that provided there are no ill-effects when he joins in training he could make a first-team return in February, if not sooner.
Although Villa will not throw Dunne, who is out of contract in the summer, back in ahead of schedule despite a leaky backline which has conceded 42 goals in 22 matches this season.
Meanwhile, Dunne's defensive colleague Ciaran Clark admitted facing Christian Benteke everyday in training will help him handle the Belgium's international compatriot Romelu Lukaku at The Hawthorns on Saturday.
In-form Albion striker Lukaku has scored nine goals in the Premier League and his physical approach to the game bears a close resemblance with Benteke's.
"Yes, it will help me prepare. They are similar players. It will be a tough game and they have a number of strikers who can play and a number of tough opponents," said Clark.
"We know it will be difficult but I am sure we will stick together and bounce back. I think Lukaku came in game at Villa Park so I've seen him play before and come up against him.
"He's a powerful guy and a big presence but we have to try to manage that and think positively.
"It's a big game for us and the supporters. It's a local derby and they have been doing well this season but we have shown that we can do well against any team."
Villa's head of European scouting Michael Henke will quit the club in February for a coaching role with German second division outfit FC Ingolstadt.
The 55-year-old, who was assistant manager to Ottmar Hitzfeld while Villa boss Paul Lambert was a player at Borussia Dortmund, was recruited last August to help the club identify potential targets on the continent.