Aston Villa defender Cutis Davies is set to return to full-scale training after recovering from a shoulder injury.

The Mirror says he has now been given the all-clear from medical experts to resume light training.

And the star should be in first team contention from January 1 onwards for Villa, who are fourth after an unbeaten six-game run.

Davies' imminent return means boss Martin O'Neill will have plenty of competition for centre-back berths with Carlos Cuellar, Richard Dunne and James Collins all in good form.

But England hopeful Davies has every incentive to break back into Villa's starting line-up swiftly with the World Cup next summer.

And the stopper's contract stipulates he can open negotiations on a new deal at Villa Park when he has played 60 games.

Davies has played 58 matches for the club so far and is keen to earn improved terms to put him nearer Villa's top earner Ashley Young, who collects £65,000-a-week.