Stewart Downing hopes to make his Aston Villa debut in November.

The England international has been unable to pay for his new club following a £12million move from Middlesbrough, due to a fractured foot picked up last season.

Downing has now had a pin removed from his foot, and manager Martin O’Neill has revealed the winger hopes to make his return to action in November.

“Stewart has had the operation," he said. "The specialist is particularly pleased with him, which is great news. It is just a matter of that wound healing and Stewart taking his time.

"I hear he is targeting November. Knowing Stewart, I am surprised he didn't say tomorrow. He is now going to have a couple of days off but he is very buoyant indeed."

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