Liam Delap is expecting to be back playing within weeks with his ankle injury less serious than initially feared.
Delap, who scored on his senior debut for the club last season aged just 17, suffered a problem at the beginning of pre-season that kept him out for six weeks. With Sergio Aguero leaving on a free transfer and the club failing to land a replacement in the transfer window, Pep Guardiola was left frustrated that he could not try Delap out ahead of the new campaign as a result of his untimely injury.
The Manchester City striker made his return to action - and a return to the scoresheet - in the Premier League 2 victory over Crystal Palace in mid-September, but took a knock to the same ankle a week later in a league game with Arsenal that sidelined him again.
There were initial concerns that Delap could be set for another significant amount of time out, but the player and the medical staff are positive about the recovery.
While he won't be rushed into action as care is taken to make sure he is fully over the problem, barring any setbacks the teenager is set to make his return to action in a few weeks.
“Liam Delap for me, for the club, is so important for the future,” Guardiola said after the striker penned a three-year contract extension in August to keep him at the Etihad until 2026.
“At the end of last season, we said we had to extend the contract. He is going to train with us, if a striker comes or doesn’t come. He will train with us all season."
