Manchester City received some welcome news on Thursday, as defenders John Stones and Kyle Walker made a return to full first-team training.
The England duo have been absent in recent weeks because of injuries picked up in the first and second legs of the Champions League tie against Real Madrid.
Their absences - along with that of Ruben Dias and the fact that Nathan Ake has not been fully fit - have left Pep Guardiola with a shortage of defensive options in recent matches. 37-year-old Fernandinho has had to fill in at centre-back alongside Aymeric Laporte, a partnership that has not entirely convinced.
READ MORE: Stones and Walker raise hopes of surprise Man City return for Premier League final day
On Sunday City host Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium in their final Premier League game of the season, knowing a win will secure a fourth title in five seasons. It will be no easy task, but the return of Stones and Walker - should they be deemed fit enough to feature - could provide a huge boost.
City fans on Twitter are certainly excited by the news.
@skramerwrites: Even just 60 minutes of Walker. Real Madrid scored zero of their six goals in the 72 minutes Kyle was on the pitch.
@roche_jason: Feels like a weight lifted off my chest today
@dean41786543: More than comfortable with a Stones and Laporte partnership. Walker on the right and Cancelo on the left.
@ashleybriah: no more conceding 3 in 10 minutes.
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