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Libor Kozak is winning his fitness race to return from a broken leg in time for Aston Villa’s pre-season programme in July.

Kozak has been out of action since sustaining the severe injury to his right leg in an accidental training ground collision with Ciaran Clark at the start of January.

The 24-year-old striker underwent surgery a day after suffering the break and is finally off crutches as he prepares to step up his rehabilitation.

Kozak, who signed from Lazio for a reported £6 million last summer, had scored four goals in nine starts and six substitute appearances for Villa before injury knocked him out of his stride.

With the targetman out for the rest of the season, Villa recruited Grant Holt on loan from Wigan to provide cover for Christian Benteke up front with Nicklas Helenius out of favour.

But if Kozak continues to recover at his current rate, manager Paul Lambert expects to welcome back the 6ft 4in striker when the players return for training following their summer breaks.

“He’s doing great,” said Lambert.

“That’s him off the crutches now. I think he’s in a much happier place within himself now as well.

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“The thing with Kozak is he’s a top boy so you know that with his rehabilitation he’ll knuckle down.

‘‘He’ll not cut any corners. He’ll have good days and bad days because of the mental stress of it but he will do his utmost to get fit.

“He’s on course. We’re hoping that pre season he’ll not be too far away. Libor is definitely doing well.

“He was down when the whole thing happened and for a few weeks after that.

“But I saw him the other day and we were having a chat. I think coming off the crutches will be a major step considering the amount of time he’s been on them.”

Jores Okore is also making progress with his fitness as he recovers from a ruptured cruciate ligament and Lambert has not ruled out a playing return for the Danish defender this season.

He would have no hesitation using Okore during the current campaign, if he is fully fit, rather than saving him for next season, but admits the 21-year-old is still at least a month away from a comeback.

“I’ll have to wait and see,” said Lambert.

“He’s training with the fitness lads, but he’s not done any contact work or anything like that. If we can get him back and he’s feeling good then I think it’s right to give him some part of the game then I’ll look at it, but it could be another month.”

Okore’s team-mates are looking forward to welcoming him back as soon as possible, with Andi Weimann admitting the former Nordsjaelland favourite has remained positive throughout his time on the sidelines.

“He came to a new club and got injured a couple of months after getting here so obviously it was hard for him,” said Weimann.

“But he’s doing really well. I think he’s close to coming back and training with us.

“He’s a nice lad and he’s always smiling so hopefully he will be back soon. When he played the first two or three games he did really well.

“He’s a strong guy considering he’s still really young. He’s quick and good on the ball as well.”

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