Manchester City could have an out-and-out striker available for the first time this season with the Premier League 2 Player of the Season Liam Delap set to be match fit within weeks - providing a major boost to Pep Guardiola, according to Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Everning News.
Despite *unconfirmed* rumours circulating on social media last week that Liam Delap's injury was worse than expected and he could have been sidelined until after Christmas, it turns out that the eighteen-year-old forward will actually be making a swift recovery according to Simon Bajkowski.
With City missing out on Harry Kane in the summer and more importantly going into the season without a recognised first-team striker, it looked like the perfect opportunity for Delap to have a shot at making his mark under Pep Guardiola - but alas, the England U18 striker has been plagued with injuries so far this season. Initially missing pre-season and the opening to the campaign with a ankle injury, on his comeback for the EDS side in September, his ankle underwent damage again.
Finally some good new this time though for the Premier League 2 top scorer of last season with himself and the City medical staff 'positive' about his recovery, and optimism that he will be back playing 'within weeks'. The teenager will be hoping for a smooth return this time around as he eases himself back into full fitness from an ankle injury for the second time this season.
Liam Delap featured twice for Manchester City at the start of last season when the club were in a similar situation in regards to the availability of strikers as they are now - having none available. The then seventeen-year-old made the dream transition from youth football to the first-team, scoring within twenty minutes of his debut against Bournemouth in the third round of the Carabao Cup. The hype was and is very much real - and everybody associated with the club would love nothing more than to see him get the chance to prove himself in the first team when fitness allows.
City most definitely will go big for a striker next season - with rumours already circulating around Borussia Dortmund hitman Erling Haaland - so the sooner that the teenager recovers and makes himself available for selection to Pep Guardiola, the better for his chances of making a claim to get more first-team chances this season. Liam Delap will most likely be eased into the EDS team again before being involved with the senior team - here's hoping that everything goes smoothly this time.
Written by: @coIgcra.
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