Dimitar Berbatov to return against Aston Villa

Fulham manager Martin Jol is hopeful that striker Dimitar Berbatov will return from injury after the international break.

Berbatov has been absent for the past two weeks with an hip injury, but Jol has revealed that the Bulgarian forward was close to making a return at the weekend against Southampton.

Jol said: "Berbatov is close. He told me on Monday that he would probably play, but on Friday, he still felt sore and he did not want to take the risk."

The 31-year-old has scored twice in three games since moving to Fulham from Manchester United.