Bertrand Traoré is moving closer to full fitness as Aston Villa prepare to face Manchester City on Sunday.
The Burkina Faso wide man was recalled from his loan spell at Istanbul Basaksehir FK on January deadline day.
Traoré has been undergoing a rehabilitation programme following injury with the Turkish club, and he has now returned to training with his Villa team-mates.
Defender Diego Carlos is also close to doing likewise having been sidelined since August.
The centre-back, having ruptured his Achilles tendon, is in the latter stages of his recovery schedule and due to potentially join the group next week.
Speaking to the media on Friday ahead of the club’s Premier League trip to the Etihad Stadium, head coach Unai Emery issued an injury update.
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“Bertrand Traore is starting to train with the team normally, but this is the first day,” he said.
“Diego Carlos is doing his work individually, and I think next week he’ll start with us, maybe, doing our work.
“Of course, that is very good news.
“For Sunday, the players’ last training is tomorrow, and hopefully they will be ready to play.”
The Presser
