O'Neill optimistic on Bouma's recovery

Dutch defender Wilfred Bouma, who sustained a horrific ankle injury in Aston Villa's Intertoto Cup match against Odense on Saturday, could be playing again sooner than expected, manager Martin O'Neill said. Bouma, 30, had a successful operation on his...

Dutch defender Wilfred Bouma, who sustained a horrific ankle injury in Aston Villa's Intertoto Cup match against Odense on Saturday, could be playing again sooner than expected, manager Martin O'Neill said.

Bouma, 30, had a successful operation on his dislocated right ankle on Sunday when the ankle was reset and a plate inserted to stabilise the area.

"The operation went very well. Freddie is in good spirits. Everybody is very optimistic he will make a rapid recovery," O'Neill said.

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