Laursen ready to return for Villa

MARTIN LAURSEN hopes his injury problems are over ahead of his return for Aston Villa.

The Denmark international is set to return after nearly four months in a reserve match with Birmingham next Monday. Laursen, signed from AC Milan for £3m in the summer, has had a series of problems with his right knee.

He has been sidelined since the third league match of the season, but is now optimistic he will soon be pushing for a first-team place.