Lambert hopeful of quick Benteke recovery
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert hopes to have Christian Benteke back from a hip injury by the middle of October.
Benteke suffered a hip flexor injury during Villa's 1-0 win over Norwich City on Saturday and had to be substituted immediately.
Initial tests suggested the 22-year-old could be out for up to six weeks, however Lambert revealed he was recovering quiker than expected.
The next international break falls on October 10, and although Benteke is unlikely to feature for Belgium, Lambert revealed he could return for Villa soon after.
"He is doing great and I think he will be back quicker," he told the club's official website. "He is doing really fine now and seems a lot happier within himself.
"We just have to wait and see. We've got two games before the international break.
"The international break has probably come at the right time for him and for us and he is doing great at the minute.
"The worst fear was that he was going to be out for considerable time but the way he is progressing, I think everybody is pretty happy."
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Benteke is expected to miss their Premier League clashes against Manchester City and Hull City, but could return against Tottenham on October 20.