Liam Delap is back in full training with Manchester City for the first time in months as he hopes for an end to his injury woes.
The teenage striker scored on his professional debut in September 2020 in the Carabao Cup against Bournemouth before obliterating the scoring record in the Premier League 2 as the Under-23s won the division for the first time.
Pep Guardiola had been hoping to use the former Derby academy youngster more this season - especially when the Blues failed to land the Sergio Aguero replacement they wanted in the summer transfer window - but a string of problems have sidelined Delap for almost all of the last six months to the frustration of both player and manager.
Delap has not featured in a single matchday squad for Guardiola this season and has only made four appearances for the Under-23s, his last coming at Rotherham in the EFL Trophy at the end of October before he suffered another injury setback that has ruled him out until now.
The 18-year-old will not be rushed back into action by City as they look to avoid further problems, but the player is feeling good enough that he has started to train with the first team squad again and played a full part in Tuesday's session ahead of the weekend fixture at Southampton.
Delap's return to fitness will also inevitably trigger more interest from clubs looking for a loan deal in the second half of the season. A host of Championship clubs enquired about a deal at the beginning of the campaign, and are unlikely to be deterred by City's preference for keeping as much of their young talent as possible at the Etihad learning from Guardiola and the senior players.
