Ex-Leeds United junior Delph on brink of a return for Sky Blues

The former Leeds United midfielder has missed City’s last nine matches with an Achilles injury but is now nearing the end of his recovery.

The 26-year-old said: “It was a bit of a tricky injury, this one. It was an Achilles problem but I’m nearly there now and should start training with the team in the next few days.

“I’m really excited to be getting back out on the pitch again and I’m hoping to be available for the next game.”

City return to action with a Barclays Premier League trip to Bournemouth on April 2 before facing Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final four days later.

News of Delph’s recovery, soon after a similarly positive update from knee injury victim Kevin De Bruyne, will lift City after a difficult past week.

Last Sunday’s derby defeat to Manchester United has dragged City into a battle for fourth place in the Premier League while Vincent Kompany, Joe Hart and Raheem Sterling have all joined the injury list.

Delph has endured a difficult first season at the Etihad Stadium since moving from Aston Villa last summer, with spells out for hamstring injuries earlier in the campaign.

He said: “Apart from my injuries, it’s been a fantastic first year at City. The boys have welcomed me, the fans have been great with me and hopefully I can get fully fit, put all the injuries behind me and get going again.”

England defender Ryan Bertrand, meanwhile, will miss the friendly with Germany after returning to Southampton for further treatment on an injury he suffered in the Barclays Premier League win over Liverpool, the Football Association has announced. No replacement will be called up.

However, goalkeepers Jack Butland and Fraser Forster are both hoping to be given a chance to impress for England in their upcoming friendly double-header.

Roy Hodgson goes into the games against Germany and Holland without first-choice number one Joe Hart after the Manchester City man suffered a calf injury in Sunday’s derby defeat to Manchester United.