Man City boost as Aymeric Laporte returns to first-team training for first time since August following knee injury

AYMERIC LAPORTE has taken another step towards returning from injury by joining in training with his team-mates for the first time. The £57 million French defender has been out since the end of August with a knee ligament injury. But he has made good progress in his return and was involved in his first session […]

AYMERIC LAPORTE has taken another step towards returning from injury by joining in training with his team-mates for the first time.

The £57 million French defender has been out since the end of August with a knee ligament injury.

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Reuters

But he has made good progress in his return and was involved in his first session on the grass earlier this week.

That will raise hopes he could be back in Guardiola’s first team this month – and be fully fit to face Real Madrid in the Champions League in February.

Guardiola said: “Thursday was the first time he trained for 10 or 15 minutes with us today again.

“He’s getting better, he feels good. I think in the next week he’ll complete all the training sessions with us. “

Guardiola has an idea when he expects Laporte to be back in contention but says the player himself will tell him when he is ready.

“You can think this stage or these games, but it will be dictated by how he feels.

“It’s been more than four months out. He won’t be able to play 90 minutes straight away, it’s a process.

“It’s the same with Leroy Sane. I’m grateful for the physios and the guys who have been with him.”

Guardiola confirmed goalkeeper Ederson is back training after being forced out of the win over Everton on New Year’s Day with illness.

Claudio Bravo deputised against the Toffees and could keep his place for the FA Cup tie against League Two Port Vale as he has generally played in the domestic cups.

But Nico Otamendi is still out having picked up an injury in the 3-2 defeat against Wolves a week ago.

Guardiola said: “Ederson was sick on the day of the game, he’s training and feels better.

“Nico is not able to play tomorrow but getting better in the next days he can be in the squad again.”

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