Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is hopeful that Ilkay Gundogan will return to action next week after spending a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.

The 26-year-old, who joined the two-time Premier League champions from Borussia Dortmund last year, only made 16 appearances before he suffered cruciate ligament damage.

Gundogan has not played since last December, and he is unlikely to make it in time for City's Premier League opener against Brighton & Hove Albion this Saturday, but he may get a runout during next week's friendly with Girona.

The North-West outfit will play the La Liga club in Spain three days after their league season begins.

"I think he's close to coming back," Guardiola told City's official website. "Maybe he'll get minutes in Girona. I don't know, we're going to ask the doctor because, of course, he was injured for a long time.

"We don't want to take any risks. He has to be strong but, of course, his quality is perfect for the way we want to play. He's a guy who plays in the middle and can be a holding midfielder or play in front. In those terms, we're so happy."

City have signed six players so far this summer, including Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker and Danilo.