Barry hoping for early return

After being an ever-present in City’s title winning team last term, there were plenty of disappointed faces after Gareth Barry was ruled out of Euro 2012 this summer. Despite that setback, the 31-year-old is still optimistic on his future and says he is hopeful of being fit to return to domestic football at the start of the season.

Barry is regarded as one of the fittest individuals to grace the Premier League in recent years after making a staggering 400 appearances for previous club Aston Villa. Moreover, the hip and hernia injuries he sustained prior to Euro 2012 meant that he missed his first pre-season campaign in sixteen years.

Despite the above, Barry remains confident and says that he is very happy with the progress he has been making. Speaking to City’s official website he said, “Early signs are really good. The scars have healed really well, but we’ll see how I feel when I start playing again. Fingers crossed it will all have healed up. There will be a two week healing process and I’ve started my rehab to try and get fit and catch up with the rest of the lads. I don’t really want to put a timescale on it, but hopefully I’ll be ready for the main games starting.”

There’s no doubting that Roberto Mancini will be desperate for Barry to prove his fitness, with the midfielder establishing himself as one of the club’s most important performers. Despite facing competition from a whole array of superstars, Barry has always been a regular at the Etihad Stadium and has started well over 100 games since his transfer in 2009. Should the player manage to regain his fitness, it will also be a welcome boost for Roy Hodgson who will surely consider him for the upcoming England friendly fixtures.

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