ILKAY Gundogan could play his first game of football in eight months when City take on Girona.

The Blues have arranged a friendly for three days after their Premier League opener at Brighton - they don't play again in the league until the following Monday when they take on Everton at home.

Gundogan has been sidelined since last December with cruciate ligament damage in his knee and hopes of him appearing in pre-season for the Blues have been dashed.

However, Pep Guardiola does not believe the midfielder is too far away and could use the friendly with the La Liga club as an opportunity to ease him back onto the pitch.

Despite the player's lengthy absence, it is clear how much the manager still rates his first signing as City manager.

And while he was used as an attacking midfielder last season, these latest comments suggest Gundogan could also provide competition with Fernandinho, Yaya Toure and Danilo in the screening role. …