Oscar Bobb returns to Manchester City training after five-month recovery from horror leg break | OneFootball

Manchester City have welcomed back Oscar Bobb to the club’s first-team training sessions this week following a lengthy and ongoing recovery process.

The Norway international forward, who was undoubtedly City’s best performer during their pre-season tour of the United States last summer, has been sidelined since last August after sustaining a leg bone break during a training session at the City Football Academy.

Prior to the major setback, there had been a strong belief within the club that this season would mark Oscar Bobb’s firm breakthrough into the first-team picture, with a start anticipated during the team’s opening Premier League match away to Chelsea.

However, having undergone surgery and maintained on track via his recovery process alongside club doctors and medical professionals, the 21-year-old could still have a significant role to play this season.

Speaking during a recent interview and discussing his return to Manchester City action, Bobb explained, “I think hopefully the end of January or the start of February I can be in and around the squad.”

He continued, “I am getting back to fitness now, slowly but surely starting to run again. I saw it as more of a pause than a setback.” And now, there appears to have been a major development in his return to action.

As revealed in a group photo released by Manchester City’s official media channels on Wednesday evening, Oscar Bobb was captured alongside the rest of his teammates celebrating a landmark achievement for Kevin De Bruyne in his Etihad Stadium career.

The Belgium international and Manchester City vice-captain made it 400 appearances in the Sky Blue shirt of the reigning Premier League champions during their 4-1 win over West Ham on Saturday afternoon, and both players and staff were keen to mark the landmark this week.

Pep Guardiola is likely to provide a wider fitness update on his Manchester City squad when he faces the media on Friday afternoon, as Manchester City finalise their preparations for a return to FA Cup action this weekend.

Saturday evening will bring the third round of the competition to the Etihad Stadium, with League Two high-flyers Salford City the challengers, as Karl Robinson and his players look to pull off a major upset against the reigning Premier League champions.

Among the players to require an update on their fitness are the likes of Ederson, Ruben Dias, John Stones, and Matheus Nunes, whilst Rodri and Oscar Bobb – despite the latter’s return to training – are to remain unavailable for matchday duties.