Manchester City midfielder Fernando has revealed that he should be ready to return to action within the next fortnight.
The Brazilian midfielder has not featured so far this season due to a long-standing groin injury, forcing him to watch on from the sidelines as Manuel Pellegrini's side have won four from four without conceding a goal.
However, the 28-year-old insists that he is feeling "much better" having returned to former club Porto to undergo treatment, and he is now looking forward to getting his season underway.
"I'm feeling much better and in a couple of days I will be stepping up my training programme. I went back to Porto for treatment, rest and to recover and now I'm feeling much better," Fernando told the club's official website.
"On one hand, it's been great to see the lads playing so well, but on the other you are frustrated at not being involved. Obviously I want to help my team and play my part but I needed to be clear of this injury first.
"I've been working hard to recover, I'm feeling much better now with no pain so I will resume normal training this week and hopefully be available at some point within the next fortnight. I can't wait to get my season finally up and running and being pain free at last will be a huge relief."
Fernando's return is likely to come as welcome news for Pellegrini, who is expected to be without summer signing Fabian Delph for the next few weeks due to the hamstring injury he sustained on international duty with England.
Barney Corkhill
