Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy gives positive injury update as he tells Pep Guardiola to ‘keep a spot on the bench’ for Napoli clash
BENJAMIN MENDY has provided Manchester City with a positive update on his injury condition – and jokingly asked the club to save him “a spot on the bench”.
The France international has become a cult hero at the Etihad Stadium despite only joining the club from Monaco in the summer.
Despite not playing since suffering knee ligament damage on September 23 against Crystal Palace, he has endeared himself to the City masses through his social media channels.
Mendy was told he would be sidelined until April after undergoing the knife, but the 23-year-old has revealed he is already back kicking a ball again in a short video clip.
And in the tweet, he wrote the caption: “Almost ready for tomorrow. Keep me a spot on the bench, we never know guys.”
Obviously, there is no chance of Mendy being ready for tonight’s Champions League clash with Napoli, but his initial recovery plan could well be revised due to his rapid progress.
He will no doubt be desperate to return as soon as possible, and has already outlined his aspirations for the rest of the season with City and for his country.
Speaking to The Times after his injury, he said: "I told Pep [Guardiola] after I got my results I would only have surgery if he promised me City would be in the Champions League semi-finals when I come back.
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"That is our checkpoint. That is where we will meet again.”
He continued: "I want to get back fit as soon as possible.
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"I want to play in the Premier League, the Carabao Cup, the Champions League, the FA Cup, and there's no doubt in my mind that I will play in the World Cup.
"You know what I'm like when I play with City, I always have a smile on my face and it's the same with my rehab."
Mendy only figured five times for City before he was struck down by the injury.
During those matches, the defender helped his side to record four clean sheets.
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