Boss is planning for return of duo; VILLA NEWS.

VILLA are trying to arrange a private practice game to ease injured duo John Carew and Wilfred Bouma back into match action next week.

Martin O'Neill is hoping to step up the recoveries of Carew and Bouma with runouts in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Bodymoor Heath.

The manager is pleased with Bouma's progress after his horrifically dislocated ankle, while Carew's back problem is gradually getting better.

"Freddy is coming on really well," said O'Neill.

"We're trying to organise a game halfway through next week.

"It's a chance for him and a chance for John, perhaps, to get a game.

"The two of them are making progress. I think Freddy's just about up to where I expected him to be at this stage.

"John Carew is coming back, he's trained a little bit with us but he's a week or two away yet I suppose."

O'Neill believes Bouma has the psychological strength to bounce back from the serious injury he suffered in the Intertoto Cup back in July.

His team-mates have treated the Dutch full-back tentatively since his return to contact training earlier this month.

"He's played little bits of games here with us, but the boys have been very careful with him," added O'Neill.

"It was pretty bad and he's got that to get over. But I'm sure the first time that he gets charged into and he gets up unscathed he'll be as right as rain."

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John Carew.