Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan could return for pre-season tour – City Watch

Ilkay Gundogan could be set to join the rest of the Manchester City squad on their pre-season tour of the United States on July 17th according to James Ducker in the Telegraph. The German midfielder has been out of the team since he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Watford back in December of last year.

City’s medical team are apparently very pleased with Gundogan’s progress in recent weeks as he nears closer to a return and will be monitoring him very closely with Guardiola himself before they make a decision on whether he will make the trip.

If Gundogan were to be included in the pre-season tour then it is expected that he will vastly improve his chances of being match fit for the first game of the season against Brighton on August 12th. Recent reports coming from Sam Lee of Goal are suggesting that City have no intention of bringing in another midfielder this summer, meaning that getting Gundogan back to full fitness will be of the highest importance for Guardiola who will realistically only have Yaya and Fernandinho to choose from in the holding midfield position.