Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish says Ciaran Clark is on his way back from knee injury.
McLeish revealed he is now on course to start working with the rest of the first-team again.
"He suffered a wee setback and I think next week it will be six weeks since he was injured," McLeish told the club's official website.
"We felt it might be about four but the setback stretched it out a wee bit. But he is now running and kicking the ball.
"He is not doing any blocking work yet as he has still got a bit of tenderness in the knee. But I would say in about a week's time we should be able to evaluate whether he comes back with the group."