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Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus returns to training in boost to quadruple hopes ahead of Wigan FA Cup tie

Jesus is training with his team-mates again as his recovery from a knee injury progresses

Mark Critchley
Northern Football Correspondent
Friday 16 February 2018 16:18 GMT
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Gabriel Jesus has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury on New Year's Eve
Gabriel Jesus has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury on New Year's Eve

Gabriel Jesus provided a boost to Manchester City’s quadruple hopes on Friday by training with his team-mates for the first time since suffering a knee injury.

Jesus has been sidelined and unavailable to his manager Pep Guardiola since sustaining the problem in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on New Year’s Eve.

It was initially hoped that the Brazilian would return in time for the Champions League last-16 first leg against Basel on Tuesday night, but the injury prevented him from travelling to Switzerland.

Jesus remains unlikely to play any part in Monday’s FA Cup meeting against Wigan Athletic, but while previewing the fifth round tie, Guardiola confirmed that the 20-year-old striker is making good progress.

“Today he is going to play in part of the session with the group,” the City manager said.

“It’s good news. I don’t know when he’ll be ready definitely to be with us, with the team, but the first step is they made one or two weeks training alone and today is the first with the team.”

Jesus’ absence since the start of the new year has increased the workload on Sergio Aguero, City’s only other senior, recognised centre forward. Others like Kevin De Bruyne, meanwhile, have admitted to feeling jaded from a hectic recent schedule.

However, even with an EFL Cup final against Arsenal to consider a week on Sunday, Guardiola suggested that the number of rest days in between City’s 4-0 win in Basel and Monday’s trip to Wigan means he is unlikely to heavily rotate his side.

“It depends between the games,” he said, when asked whether he finds it difficult to balance the team’s momentum with the players’ need to rest. “Between the game in Basel, we had six days and then we’ll have six days til the final, they can recover.

“When the distance is two or three days, you have to look at the conditions but if the players feel well, so we’ll see, we’ve another two or three sessions.”

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