Mirko Topic's Long-Awaited Return
Mirko Topic's 11-month injury hell at Norwich City will end this week with a long-awaited return to action that will feel like a 'Champions League' final. Read more about Norwich Face £43.8m Loss from Man City Breaches.
The 25-year-old central midfielder suffered a knee ligament injury two games into Philippe Clement's tenure, but is targeting minutes against West Ham's Under-21s on Friday. Read more about Clement Targets Goals as Toure Faces Long Layoff.
Timing Perfect for City Midfielder
Topic's return could not be better timed with captain Kenny McLean out with an ankle injury.
"For him it's like the first baby steps back to being a football player," said the City boss.
"He's been working really hard to come back. He's in a good place now. I think for him it's going to be like a Champions League final to be back on the pitch against the under-21s of West Ham."
Gabe Forsyth's Comeback Journey
Gabe Forsyth is another central midfielder on the comeback trail after two years out with knee-related problems.
The Scot has missed the last two development games with a minor setback.
"He had a small, how to say this, backwards step but everybody is working really safe with him," said Clement, speaking at Colney on Tuesday ahead of Southampton's midweek Championship visit.
"So when he feels something, then all the alarms go off after the last two years, but he's had a scan and there's not something worrying, so it's about building up to get him back into the sessions and the u21 games, like the plan was, so that's going to be starting shortly."