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Rushian Hepburn-Murphy admits he’s not fit enough to play for Aston Villa currently

General view of Villa Park (Reuters)
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Rushian Hepburn-Murphy made his comeback from injury earlier this week, after playing for Aston Villa’s development squad.

Aston Villa's Rushian Hepburn Murphy in action

Rushian Hepburn-Murphy has admitted to Aston Villa’s official website that he needs to get his fitness up before thinking about breaking into Steve Bruce’s side.

Hepburn-Murphy has been out for a considerable amount of time with an injury which has thwarted his progress at Villa Park.

The youngster looked to be on the verge of making a first-team break through, when he made two substitute appearances back in January.

However, injury struck at the worst possible time, and Hepburn-Murphy has now fallen back down the pecking order at Villa.

With the claret and blues in good form, it will be much harder for Hepburn-Murphy to force his way into Bruce’s first-team plans.

And, after making his comeback from injury for Villa’s development side earlier this week, the youngster insists that his main aim at the moment is simply to get back to his optimum levels of fitness.

“I want to play my part in the team. First, in the remaining weeks of this season, I want to get my fitness back up to where it needs to be. And it would be great to get back on that first team bench – and then get some minutes out there on the pitch,” Hepburn-Murphy said.

“It’s about getting ready for the kick-off next season. I really want to make an impact and help the club get back to where it belongs.

Whether Hepburn-Murphy will receive more game-time before the end of the season remains to be seen.

Villa are currently well clear of relegation, but their slim hopes of making the play offs appear to have been ended after a draw with Burton Albion in their last match.