Fabian Delph out to impress new Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish

Fabian Delph, Aston Villa (Getty Images)

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Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph has revealed his desire to put his recent injury problems behind him and impress new manager Alex McLeish and establish himself as a regular at Villa Park.

The 21-year-old has been blighted by injuries since arriving in the Midlands from Leeds United, but is hoping to return to peak condition in time for the start of the new season.

“I injured the ligament in between the fibula and tibia, which attaches them together,” he told the club’s official website, explaining his current problem.

“I managed to tear that in the last game of the season. I got pushed in the back and got my studs caught and twisted and just opened up a few of the joints.

“I’m three or four weeks into it now, so I think another three to four weeks and I should be fine.

“It will probably be the second or third week in July. I’ll still be able to run so I’ll be doing my fitness, I just won’t be able to work with the boys.

“It’s hard for me to stop even if I’m just in the gym. With my knee injury from before, I can’t afford to have a break on my legs for too long.

“So I had about a week off and then I was cracking on with my leg weights and biking and stuff like that.

“Hopefully once I’ve overcome this injury and got a few of the pre-season games in I’ll be sharp and the same as I was before I did my knee. Hopefully I can get playing and get back to my old ways.”

The midfielder also admitted that he struggled with fitness throughout last season but is hoping to make up for it, particularly with there potentially being more opportunities at the club with Nigel Reo-Coker having left Villa Park.

“Personally for me, I wasn’t really fit last year and towards the end of the season a few of the boys were doing well so I wasn’t complaining about not playing,” he added.

“I suppose with Nigel Reo-Coker going it does open the door but there are a lot of talented midfielders in our squad – both young and experienced pros.

“I think if I’m fit, playing a few games and getting used to my old ways then I think I could do a good job just like the other boys probably think they can as well.”