Midfielder Rodri has resumed training ahead of schedule following a serious knee injury last September.
The 28-year-old had been ruled out for the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in City’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal. But video published by the club on Friday showed Rodri undertaking an individual session at Etihad Campus on Friday, increasing hopes of a quick return.
His absence has been felt deeply, with Pep Guardiola’s side struggling domestically and crashing out of both the Champions League and the League Cup.
Rodri had initially targeted a return for the Club World Cup in June but is making such good progress he could be back before then. Guardiola has not been keen to put a timescale on the injury, saying: “The most important is for him to recover well.
City will hope Rodri can help salvage their faltering campaign.