Ilkay Gundogan makes Manchester City return against Leicester City in a development match at the Etihad

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Ilkay Gundogan took a major step towards recovery on Friday night when he featured in Manchester City's 2-2 draw against Leicester in a development match.

Gundogan had been out of action since sustaining a knee injury midway through last season.

The midfielder, who hadn't played for eight months, managed 60 minutes before he was replaced by Joel Latibeaudiere. There was some concern when he went down under the challenge of Lamine Kaba Sherif but he got up unscathed.

Ilkay Gundogan went down under the challenge of Leicester's Lamine Kaba Sherif

It is understood that the German is still a number of weeks away from full fitness but made it clear he wanted Gundogan to start against Leicester.

Guardiola confirmed that the 26-year-old would be playing on Friday night in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Saturday lunchtime kick-off away at Bournemouth.

'Gundo is going to play with the second team today to improve his rhythm,' Guardiola added. 'He's much, much better.' 

Gundogan shakes the hand of under-21 elite development manager Simon Davies

Gundogan was hailed as one of the biggest signings of last season. He scored five goals in 16 appearances but he was sidelined.

He spoke earlier this month that he would manage his return to action carefully.

'I'm in a good way. I still know that it's a long way to go but I was out for eight months,' he said.

'There is no reason to rush now. When I feel good, when I feel ready, when I feel safe I'm ready to play and I'm ready to try.

Gundogan walks out on to the pitch at the Etihad Stadium before the game on Friday

'That's the target for the next weeks. There's an international break in the next two weeks so there's plenty of time to use that for training, maybe another one or two games if it's possible.

'Then, hopefully, after that break I will be ready to join the team fully. When the manager and my team-mates need me, I want to be there.'