Southgate set for quick return
Saturday, 27 January 2001 10:27Aston Villa captain Gareth Southgate is on course for an early comeback from his knee injury. Villa manager John Gregory feared he would be without the transfer-listed England defender for another month, after Southgate suffered medial ligament damage when he fell awkwardly during the FA Cup replay with Newcastle.
But the 30-year-old has resumed training, and Gregory is confident he will be back in action at the latest in a fortnight against Middlesbrough on February 10.
"Gareth is looking in pretty good shape and was back in training yesterday doing some running," Gregory said. "He is certainly progressing well but then he has always been a pretty quick
healer. It might be touch and go for him to return next weekend against Bradford, but if he doesn't make that then I am optimistic he will certainly make the Middlesbrough game."
"It's a big boost for us because, although he has remained on the transfer list, Gareth has been a model of consistency and in excellent form this season," Gregory added.
Southgate's earlier than anticipated return should enable him to be fit for when Sven-Goran Eriksson announces his first England squad on February 19 for the friendly international with Spain at Villa Park nine days later.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
