Aston Villa teenager Rushian Hepburn-Murphy has revealed on Twitter that he is closing in on a return to action as he steps up his recovery from injury.The 18-year-old was struck down with an ankle problem, halting his progression into the first team at Villa Park.He featured twice off the bench this season before he suffered the blow, but he now seems optimistic that he can work his way back into the fold.The forward informed his 16,600 followers that he has now returned to training, but he did not give an indication as to when he will be available for selection again.

Hepburn-Murphy’s future at the Midlands club seemed slightly uncertain earlier in the season and was left out of manager Steve Bruce’s side because he had not signed a new deal.

In early February, though, he put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year contract and is now focused on making himself a regularly member of the first-team squad.

In terms of Villa’s current form, they have claimed five wins and suffered one defeat in their last six games in the Championship.

Promotion back to the Premier League looks unlikely as they currently reside 12th in the table, 11 points adrift of the playoff spots with eight games left to play.

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