Lewis Ferguson has hinted he's targeted his return for a Bologna Champions League clash...just three weeks away.
The Scotland international has been out since suffering an ACL injury seven months ago which caused him to miss the European Championships in Germany.
But he's approaching a return to full training and is hopeful of playing some part against Monaco in what would be his Champions League debut on November 6, after admitting how much it hurt him not playing for his country at a major tournament.
Ferguson said: "I don't care what match I come back for, I just want to get back on the pitch.
"Of course the Champions League is something I'm looking forward to playing in very much.
"I can't do it for Aston Villa next week, but who knows for the Monaco game...
"There is no specific day, but everything is going well and I think that from towards the end of the month, I will be able to start full training with the squad and, let's say two weeks to get on the bench.
"But it will take time to reach the level of last season, both physically and technically.
"After the operation, you can't move, you can't walk, you're unable to do anything. Of course, I was afraid of not going back to the level I was at before.
"Now, however, when I run, change direction or shoot, I feel confident and I no longer think about the bad things that went through my head. I'm not afraid anymore - the fear is gone.
"The first month after the operation, I couldn't walk. It was difficult to live a normal life for someone like me, used to training every day, running, doing my job. I'm a healthy person, this is my normal life.
"It was hell. I couldn't move, when I was in one position for too long I felt pain. In those moments the worst thoughts come to you. Will I go back to playing? If I go back, maybe I won't be as strong and good as before.
"But once that period is over, you start to regain confidence, you start moving again and little by little you find yourself again in your movements, you feel like a footballer again.
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"My first thought after being hurt was that I would miss the Euros with Scotland.
"When the doctors told me I wouldn't play for at least six months, everything collapsed on me. If there's one thing a player dreams of, it's to be able to represent their country in a big tournament.
"As long as I can remember, I've mostly never seen Scotland take part in a major tournament. I could have gone as a player, but I was forced to give it up - that was the hardest part of this long journey."
And Ferguson, in an interview in Corriere di Bologna, admitted his ultimate dream one day is to play in the English Premier League.
He said: "Receiving an offer was a possibility. Last season I played well, but football is crazy, things change quickly. Today I don't think about it anymore.
"After the injury, I used all my energy to recover as quickly as possible. I could have left and gone elsewhere, but now I'm here and I'm happy. I don't look at what could have been.
"Playing in the Premier League remains my dream, I don't know when but I want to get there. In Scotland I've always been a Rangers fan, in England I've always followed Chelsea: Frank Lampard played there, he was an idol.
"I would have loved to have played for Bologna at Liverpool the other week. Having the opportunity to play a match like that, in a stadium like that, is a dream for every player. It's a shame about the defeat, but I was happy with Bologna's performance.
"But my only dream at the moment is to get back to playing with my teammates. I have never been injured before so to miss this length of time has been very sad for me."
