SPAIN FORWARD DAVID Villa says he remains on course to return to first-team duty before the end of the season.

The Barcelona striker has been out of action since fracturing his left tibia during the Club World Cup semi-final win over Al Sadd in December, which cast his inclusion in the current holders’ squad for Euro 2012 into doubt.

Ireland meet Vincente Del Bosque’s team in their second Group C game at the PGE Arena in Gdansk on June 14, in between their opener against Croatia and the clash with Italy.

However, Villa’s rehabilitation remains on track and on Thursday he walked up ‘La Mola’, a mountain in Catalunya, with team-mate Sergio Busquets.

I am very excited and happy,” he said. “The leg is getting better and I am meeting the deadlines set during the recovery (process).”

Turning his attention to Barca’s hopes of reclaiming their La Liga title, Villa added: “All we can do is win our games and wait.”

Barcelona currently trail league leaders Real Madrid by four points, with just six rounds of the season remaining.

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