Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that captain Vincent Kompany is nearing a return from injury.
The Belgian has played just 10 minutes of competitive football since April and was limited to only 13 Premier League starts during an injury-plagued 2015-16 campaign.
However, Kompany is now back in training and Guardiola believes that the 30-year-old defender is in the final stages of his recovery.
"We need one or two more tests on the muscle to see how it is but he's already part of the training sessions - not full contact but he's involved," he told the club's official website.
"I think he is in the last part of his recovery. I'm waiting for the doctor to say he's ready. He will help us a lot this season – I know how good he is."
Guardiola also revealed that summer signings Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan are also back in training and should be ready to return after the international break.
"Leroy made his first part of the training session, he still has a little muscular problem but in one or two weeks when we're back from the national team break, he'll be ready," he added.
"Ilkay came back to training with the group today like Leroy. It's good news, he's a good player."
Man City will take on Stoke City in their second league game of the season on Saturday.
Barney Corkhill
