Leroy Sane has credited Ilkay Gundogan and Benjamin Mendy with helping him through his recovery from his six-month injury nightmare.
The German damaged his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Manchester City’s Community Shield win over Liverpool in August, but said his team-mates were pillars of support during his rehabilitation.
Both Gundogan and Mendy endured similar lengthy spells on the sideline as a result of knee ligament injuries, with both providing Sane with the benefit of their experience throughout his recovery process, which culminated in his return to action with our Elite Development Squad last month.
“The whole team supported me, of course,” said the winger.
“But I was especially talking to Gundogan and Mendy a little bit more about the injury, what they did, what could happen and their experience with everything.
“It helped me a lot to know how certain stuff feels and what can happen. It helped me and I’m very pleased that they pushed me along with that.”
Forty-four games have passed since Sane limped off at Wembley Stadium.
It is the longest he has gone without playing since turning professional and the 24-year-old admits that after hearing the initial prognosis, it was tough accepting he would miss so much football.
However, he was determined not to dwell on what he couldn’t do and equally as focused on returning even stronger, which is why, once his rehabilitation allowed, he worked hard on the areas of his game he felt needed improving.
“It was the hardest and longest injury that I’ve ever had in my career,” he added. “It is difficult.
“Especially the first day after the surgery because you can’t move at all and that’s not something any of us athletes are used to.
“You have to push yourself every day because you know it’s a long rehab, but it is a good opportunity to work more on other weaknesses and that’s why I took it as a chance to recover well and come back strong.”
