Aston Villa defender Ritchie De Laet offers Steve Bruce injury boost

The 28-year-old has been sidelined since suffering a serious knee injury during Villa’s 1-1 draw with Brentford last September, in what was only his third appearance for the club following a £2.5million move from Leicester.

De Laet underwent surgery on damaged knee ligaments before a gruelling period of recovery.

But he confirmed on social media over the weekend he is now fit and ready to go from the start of pre-season training.

The versatile De Laet will increase the defensive options available to boss Steve Bruce, with the Belgian able to play in any position across the backline and also in central midfield.

Bruce is known to be in the market for a centre-back with Bristol City’s Aden Flint and Barnsley skipper Marc Roberts among the targets on the club’s shortlist.

Villa are also among several clubs to be linked with Barnsley’s Josh Scowen after reports the 24-year-old midfielder has rejected the offer of a new contract at Oakwell.

A squad including young prospects Jacob Bedeau, Keinan Davis and Harry McKirdy meanwhile suffered heartbreak as they were beaten 3-0 by Leicester in the final of the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens tournament.

Villa, six-times winners of the season-closing event, defeated Cagliari and Marseille en route to the final but found the Foxes too hot to handle.