Hitzlsperger looking for first team recall

Last updated : 24 October 2002 By VillaMAD
Hitzlsperger has been sidelined since August with a stomach muscle injury, but is now ready for a first-team recall after three consecutive games for Villa's reserve team.

“I’m ready, so now it’s up to the manager. I’ve enjoyed myself in the reserves and the results have gone quite well," he told the clubs official website.

“I think I’ve done alright, especially against Liverpool last week. Leeds on Tuesday was a very good performance from the whole team.

“It is frustrating being out of the side when things aren’t going right. But you’ve just got to be patient and make sure you don’t come back too soon.

“First you have to play for the reserves and then when you progress and you’re fit, you can start pressing to get into the team.

“I can’t change the results the first-team have been getting, but now I’m looking to get back in the side and hopefully help us back up the table," he added.

“I’d love it to go the same way as it did last season, where the game at Old Trafford was the start of a good run for me. I’m prepared and hopefully I’ll get on the bench and then I’ll do everything I can to get into the team.

“As far as I’m concerned, my season has to start here. I played in the InterToto Cup and the first game in the Premiership, but then I couldn’t shake-off that injury.

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