Internet Desk: Stiliyan Petrov will make a return to professional football next season and wants to lead Aston Villa back into the Premier League.
The midfielder was diagnosed with acute leukaemia four years ago but has been training with Villa’s Under 21s. Petrov, 36, now believes he is fit enough to make a fairytale comeback to the professional ranks.
Petrov was diagnosed with the disease four years ago and went through three years of chemotherapy. He has remained close to Villa during that period and even had a spell of coaching the Under-21s with Gordon Cowans when Paul Lambert was manager.
Since his illness he has raised £250,000 for cancer charities and will have a star-studded cast at his golf day on May 8, including former Villa manager Martin O’Neill.
Villa’s season has been a disaster with relegation the consequence of splits in the camp, poor managing and dreadful recruitment.
Petrov can be an inspirational figure if Villa decide to offer him a route back into the professional game. He warns that there will be a tough task ahead but would love to be part of it.