Stewart Downing has vowed to repay the faith shown in him by Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill despite admitting it will be early December before he is fit to play.
Downing feared he would have to wait until January to obtain a summer move from relegated Middlesbrough after suffering a foot injury at the end of last season - coincidentally against Villa.
He was concerned that playing in the Championship would affect his hopes of making Fabio Capello's 2010 World Cup squad.
But O'Neill opted to pay £12million this summer for his services even though he was aware Downing would face several months on the sidelines.
Downing said: "Once I heard in the summer that the manager was after me, I wanted to go.
"I thought I might have to wait until January which would have been frustrating because it's a World Cup year.
"I was thinking 'will Mr Capello pick me if I'm playing in the Championship?' The chances are probably 'no' so I do owe Martin O'Neill a lot and I can't wait to get fit."
Downing, 25, added: "The injury is a bit of a strange one. It's not a break but there's a fracture there. I've had to have it pinned and that should come out in September.
"Then it's a case of building it up. The target is early December. If I'm ready before then that's a bonus. If it's after, then it just needs time to heal.
"But I'm sure I will play before Christmas. The manager wants me 100 per cent right and is prepared to give me extra time to do it."