Adam McGurk is stepping up his recovery at Aston Villa.
The 18 year-old striker has been sidelined for eight months with a knee ligament injury, but he told Villa's website: "It's been a long time, but the hardest bit's over now. The sitting around while you're on crutches is the boring stuff.
"It's hard coming in every day when you know you won't be playing at the weekend. You just want to be out there, but you just have to go off by yourself and do the boring stuff while they're out there enjoying themselves. It is frustrating, but I've had to be patient and soon I'll be joining the lads."
McGurk added: "Craig Gardner had similar injuries at the same age and they certainly didn't hold him back. It happens to everyone in their career and hopefully this is my bad one out of the way early.
"I'm probably looking to the West Ham game next month for a reserves return, unless we arrange a friendly before Christmas.
"But hopefully I'll get a few Academy games as well to get my sharpness back."
