Football
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Aston Villa's Christian Benteke returns to training after 5 months out

Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke has returned to training to end a five-month injury layoff.

Boss Paul Lambert confirmed the Belgium international rejoined the squad on Monday for the first time since rupturing his Achilles in April.

Benteke missed Belgium's World Cup campaign this summer after the injury but is on schedule with his September comeback expected.

"I'm delighted with the efforts of the medical team here at Villa for working incredibly hard with Christian to get him back to fitness so quickly," Lambert told the club's official site. "Christian trained today, though it was a light session. Hopefully, with no effects from that, he'll train again tomorrow with the group.

"Obviously, we'll be monitoring his fitness and we'll continue to build him up towards a return to the team."

Benteke has scored 34 goals in 67 appearances for Villa since a 7 million-pound move from Genk in 2012 and had hinted at his return on Sunday.

He thanked fans on Twitter, writing:

Villa have under-21 games against Derby and Bolton this month where Benteke could feature as he builds towards a Premier League return.

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