Oscar Bobb targeting January return after freak injury before the start of the campaign – as he looks to return to pre-season form that was set to earn him starting chance at Man City
- Bobb has been out of action for five months due to a pre-season issue
- He would get a starting opportunity for the club on the right wing
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Oscar Bobb is targeting a comeback for Manchester City at the end of January after breaking his leg in a bizarre training ground incident.
The 21-year-old is set to be handed the right wing spot by Pep Guardiola at the start of the season after an impressive pre-season in the United States.
But the injury he suffered just before the Premier League kicked off has kept him out for five months. His absence was also felt by the defending champions, who were nine points behind leaders Liverpool.
Bobb has intensified his rehabilitation and is expected to return to first-team training in the next two weeks, hoping to make up for lost time.
“I think hopefully I’ll be able to be in and around the team by late January or early February,” Bobb said. ‘I am now fit again and am slowly but surely starting to run again. I saw it more as a break than a setback.
‘I can certainly draw inspiration from my pre-season. I was very happy with the summer I had and I felt very strong on the US tour and in the Community Shield.
Oscar Bobb is targeting a return to action in January after a bizarre injury during pre-season
Bobb was a central figure in City’s festive campaign this week, ‘0161 Christmas Calling’
Pep Guardiola would give him a chance to start on the right wing this season
“I am determined to work even harder now to get back into that shape and help the team.”
Bobb was a central figure in City’s festive campaign this week, ‘0161 Christmas Calling’, which raised more than £175,000 in fundraising to support community programs – including at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House.
The Norwegian was one of several players – including Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and John Stones – who visited children last week. More than 1,760 gifts have been distributed to patients.
Bobb’s return will give Guardiola more options in attacking areas, having also been identified as a potential false nine to give Haaland some rest.
“It’s not about coming back as quickly as possible, but coming back as strong as possible,” he added. ‘I’m obviously excited to get back on the grass and try to help the team, but right now my focus is on coming back even stronger than before.
“I was in really good shape and felt ready to help the team, so my goal is to get that feeling back.”
Meanwhile, Manuel Akanji reiterated Phil Foden’s support for Guardiola earlier this week as City went to Aston Villa after just one win in their last eleven in all competitions.
“We as players need to change and minimize some of the things and mistakes we are making at the moment,” Akanji said. “We have to be better on the ball like we used to be and we all know we can do that.
‘Pep trusts us, we trust him, so it will be fine. We still believe in each other. I have a good feeling about it and I think we’re going to turn it around.’