Laursen won't rush Villa return Villa skipper to step up recovery from knee surgery

Aston Villa captain Martin Laursen has revealed he is reluctant to set a date for his comeback from a knee injury.

Laursen has been sidelined for the past two months after undergoing surgery, but is due to step up his recovery next week.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill is hoping the centre-half will be fit to reclaim his place in the team for the trip to Manchester United in early April.

However, the Denmark international is not setting a fixed date for his return and is keen to adopt a cautious approach as he builds up his fitness.

Step by step

"I'm really happy with the way the knee is," said Laursen. "I don't really want to say when I'll be back. Next week I'll try and work outside.

"I'll try and run and do a bit of ball work, and then we will see how it goes. We'll take it step by step, day by day.

"It's been difficult to watch from the sidelines and it's good to have a goal, but the next day you can have a setback and feel a bit sore, so we will see."

Laursen is desperate to return and play a part in Villa's push for a UEFA Champions League spot.

He said: "It is a special time for the club, and we are doing so well. We have the possibility to play Champions League football next year.

"We are playing some great football; we have a very talented squad. I would have loved to be involved these last couple of months, but it has just made me work harder to get back to fitness."