Aymeric Laporte appears to be training on grass again as he continues his recovery from injury.
The Manchester City defender has been out of action since August when he injured his ACL against Brighton, and was ruled out until the new year.
In his absence, City have struggled with injury and form in the centre-back positions, with Fernandinho being used as a makeshift defender for much of the season.
Pep Guardiola and City chief executive Ferran Soriano have insisted the club have no plans to enter the transfer market in January despite their defensive troubles, and now Laporte has provided a boost regarding his own recovery.
The Frenchman posted an image of him on Instagram putting on football boots before walking in City training gear.
Earlier in December Leroy Sane, who is also out with a long-term injury, posted an almost identical Instagram update as it was revealed he was back in training on the pitch, but not with his teammates.
If Laporte's update is the same, it is the next step in his return to first team action. City are unlikely to rush him after such a long time out, but it still represents a boost to see the Frenchman back on the pitch.
Laporte has posted training montages from the gym to his Instagram account in recent weeks, and is expected to be back in around February 2020.
