Aston Villa striker Jonathan Kodjia has provided a promising update on his recovery from a serious ankle injury, and fans have reacted with hope for an early return on Twitter.
The Ivory Coast international posted two videos to Instagram on Monday showing him back working with a ball as he looks to make a full recovery from a worrying ankle injury.
The 28-year-old forward has been out for Villa since the end of October after aggravating a previous injury to his ankle while on international duty.
Kodjia had required surgery over the summer on the initial injury before returning to play eight games for Villa between mid-September and the end of the October.
The striker then aggravated the old injury while away with the Ivory Coast and was forced to undergo further surgery on the ankle complaint.
As quoted by the Birmingham Mail, Villa boss Steve Bruce told fans to forget seeing Kodjia back on the pitch for the club this season.
“It’s probably best if we forget it, I can’t see it (him featuring again this season),” said Bruce.
But Kodjia’s latest update, which features two videos showing him back with a ball at his feet, seem to have offered some vague hope to Villa fans, who have dared to dream of an early return.
This is Futbol have rounded up some of the best tweets:
Kodjia back on light work kicking a ball around ?
— Will (@will_avfc) February 19, 2018
Sweet jesus that's a wonderful view. Get that man fit!!!
— James Costigan (@CostiganJimmy) February 19, 2018
Looks very encouraging that @J_Kodjia #UTV https://t.co/ZXrENMNgp2
— Roger (@Rog_FootyMad) February 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/AndyVilla80/status/965614681502240773
By the look of Kodjia running with the ball on his insta, surely back before the end of the season ?? #avfc
— Pricey (@DJ_Pricey) February 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/joe_ridley/status/965611216029863936
If Kodjia is back and fit before the end of the season it could be huge #avfc
— Firstname Surname (@geturownnamepls) February 19, 2018
Great to see him back with football
— David O Mahony (@Davidomahony18) February 19, 2018
Great to see the videos of @J_Kodjia looking sharp with a ball at his feet.
Hope he's back soon, could be a massive boost for the run-in.#avfc
— ????????????????? ???? ? (@TheTremontiPick) February 19, 2018
Encouraging to see that @J_Kodjia is making decent progress. With 6 games in April it would be a massive boost for him to come back for the final run #avfc
— Simon O'Regan (@SiORegan) February 20, 2018