Christian Benteke: Back in training

Christian Benteke returned to training on Monday after five months out of action through injury.

The Aston Villa striker missed this summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil after rupturing his Achilles tendon in early April.

The 23-year-old Belgian suffered the injury in early April and had been expected to be out of action for around eight months.

Manager Paul Lambert told the club's official site: "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.

"Christian trained today, though it was a light session. Hopefully, with no effects from that, he'll train again on Tuesday.

"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 his £7m move from Genk in 2012.