Shorey Confident Of Bouma Recovery

Nicky Shorey has said that he fully expects Freddy Bouma to come roaring back next season from his nightmare injury.

Freddy's recovery hasn't exactly been ideal, from finding floating bits of bone and then breaking down just as he thought he was making progress, it definitely hasn't been a great 12 months for our Dutch fullback.

But Shorey believes Bouma will be back and challenging for his left back spot in time to help Villa during our next campaign.

Speaking on the official site, the diminutive player said:

'Villa has competition for places and that's one of the reasons I came here.'

Nope, I'm behaving, I'll leave that there.

'I was as gutted as anyone when Freddy didn't come back as quickly as we all hoped after that horrific injury.

'We just hope he'll be back for pre season fighting fit now. I think everyone wants to see that and I'm no different. Freddy is a great lad.'

I know it's a fluffy story from the OS, there's very little other news about but Shorey does seem genuine in his comments even if the sarcastic amongst you will say he'd have rather been kept out the side by a natural leftback.

Shorey's future is still in doubt if you believe the rumours, so it's good to hear him being so positive about his teammates, but by the same token the longer Freddy takes to recover the more you wonder whether that tackle was worse than we all imagined during the Odense match.

I think I speak for all in saying, I desperately hope that isn't the case.

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