Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus stepped up his recovery from injury to return to the training field for the first time since February, according to a statement on the club website.
The Brazilian made a superb start to life at Manchester after his move from Palmeiras was ratified in January, scoring three goals in his first four games, including a match-winning double against Swansea at the Etihad Stadium. He had even displaced the club’s talisman, Sergio Aguero, in the starting XI, such was the impression he had on manager Pep Guardiola.
However, he suffered a fractured metatarsal after just 14 minutes of the next game away at Bournemouth, with the early prognosis suggesting his season was over prematurely.
He recently began working in the gym in a bid to keep his fitness levels high – and on Monday afternoon, on his 20th birthday, he returned to the training field just seven weeks after his initial setback.
While he didn't take part in full training, focusing instead on some light ball work, it’s a sight most City fans will nonetheless have been pleased to see. His teammates were visibly happy to see him and spoke warmly to the Brazilian before continuing with their own training session. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s men travel to London on Wednesday night for a crunch Premier League clash with leaders Chelsea and will seek revenge for the 1-3 loss they suffered at the Etihad in December.