Ilkay Gundogan is ready to make his first start for Manchester City in nine months, and hopes Wednesday's League Cup third-round match against West Brom will provide that opportunity.
The Germany international made his return from a knee injury on Saturday, coming on as a sub in City's 6-0 trouncing of Watford.
And while the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder admits he's still not at his best pre-injury form, he's ready to resume playing regularly once more.
"If I said I am the same player as I was a year ago, I would be lying," Gundogan told multiple outlets in the UK.