Stewart Downing has vowed to repay the faith shown in him
by Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill despite admitting it will be
early December before he is fit to play.
Downing feared he would have to wait until January to obtain a
summer move from relegated Middlesbrough after suffering a foot
injury at the end of last season - coincidentally against
Villa.
He was concerned that playing in the Championship would affect
his hopes of making Fabio Capello's 2010 World Cup squad.
But O'Neill opted to pay £12million this summer for his services
even though he was aware Downing would face several months on the
sidelines.
Downing said: "Once I heard in the summer that the manager was
after me, I wanted to go.
"I thought I might have to wait until January which would have
been frustrating because it's a World Cup year.
"I was thinking 'will Mr Capello pick me if I'm playing in the
Championship?' The chances are probably 'no' so I do owe Martin
O'Neill a lot and I can't wait to get fit."
Downing, 25, added: "The injury is a bit of a strange one. It's
not a break but there's a fracture there. I've had to have it
pinned and that should come out in September.
"Then it's a case of building it up. The target is early
December. If I'm ready before then that's a bonus. If it's after,
then it just needs time to heal.
"But I'm sure I will play before Christmas. The manager wants me
100 per cent right and is prepared to give me extra time to do
it."