Pep Guardiola hopes Benjamin Mendy can help Manchester City's push for silverware this season.
The French defender, having missed most of last season with injury, has not started a league game since November 11 after suffering more setbacks.
While he is in contention to play at Fulham , the manager Pep Guardiola fires warning to returning Man City stars will not simply be changed to accommodate him and there are enough doubts over his future for the club to be trying to sign a left-back this summer.
Guardiola does think that City can see the player that Mendy has shown glimpses of - he has five Premier league assists this season despite his long absences - but believes it will take time before he is back to his best.
“If he has consistency - two months, three months, no injury - he will come back without a problem," the manager said. "But if he comes back, then comes back again three months later, then two weeks, then three months, no.
Pep Guardiola fires warning to returning Man City stars
"Most important is a week's training, day-by-day, and if that happens with a good reaction in the knee, of course he will come back.
“I think the physicality is not a big problem. It's more what we want to do, what we're looking for, the spaces, the rhythm and the pace. Sometimes you need time when you don't play but I don’t have doubts. He knew he needed more in his knee.
"He’s a strong guy but he needs power to sustain his efforts. He’s getting better but he needs more time.
"He’s here in Manchester to play football and when he can’t play he’s a little bit sad. But the body needs time after two big injuries, the second one as well. We are optimistic he will help us between now and the end of the season.”
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