Man City's Oscar Bobb reveals potential return date following serious leg injury

The Man City academy product made 26 competitive appearances for Pep Guardiola's side last season, chipping in with two goals and two assists.

Bobb was poised to play a bigger role during the current campaign, only for those plans to be derailed by a serious leg injury.

The Norway international suffered a leg fracture in training just days after he had featured in Man City's Community Shield success against Manchester United.

Bobb targeting January return

Pep Guardiola was unable to provide a potential return date when asked about Bobb's recovery in Friday's pre-match press conference.

"I don't know with Oscar. Still, he didn't train with the team once, so we will see," Guardiola told reporters ahead of Saturday's clash with Aston Villa.

"I think it's a question of the bone and when it's fixed, not in pain, he will be ready. And I think for his physicality with some weeks of training, he will get a little bit his rhythm. Not like we saw in pre-season, but quite similar."

However, Bobb has revealed his plans to return to first-team action at the "end of January or the start of February".

"I think hopefully the end of January or the start of February I can be in and around the squad," Bobb told the Daily Mail.

"I am getting back to fitness now, slowly but surely starting to run again. I saw it as more of a pause than a setback.

"I can definitely take inspiration from my pre-season. I was really pleased with the summer that I had and I felt really strong during the US tour and in the Community Shield."

Bobb hoping to discover impressive form

Bobb scored two goals and provided three assists in four games during Man City's pre-season tour of the USA, before he provided an assist for Bernardo Silva's equaliser in the Community Shield.

Having spent a significant spell on the sidelines, Bobb wants to rediscover his best form when he returns to action in 2025.

"It isn't about getting back as soon as possible, but as strong as possible,' Bobb said. "I am obviously excited to be back on the grass to try and help the team but right now my focus is on getting back even stronger than I was before. I was in really good form and felt ready to help the team, so my aim is to get back to that."

When he eventually returns, Bobb will offer Guardiola great versatility, having proven he can play as a winger, an attacking midfielder and even as a forward.

Written by

Ben Sully