Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku have handed Manchester City a huge injury boost as the attacking pair returned to first-team training on Wednesday.
Haaland has missed each of the Citizens' last seven matches across all competitions with a "bone stress reaction" in his foot.
Doku, meanwhile, has been absent with a muscle problem which he sustained in the 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on December 3.
Both players travelled with the Pep Guardiola's squad to Saudi Arabia for their triumphant Club World Cup campaign, but the duo, along with Kevin De Bruyne, were not fit to feature in either the semi-final or final.
Haaland and Doku were also absent from Man City's 2-0 win over Sheffield United in the Premier League last Saturday, but the duo have since been pictured in first-team training at City Football Academy ahead of Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie against Huddersfield Town at the Etihad Stadium.
Both players initially returned to individual training over the weekend, but they took part in group sessions on Wednesday evening, suggesting that they are closing in on a return.
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De Bruyne, meanwhile, who was surprisingly named on the substitutes' bench for the win over Sheffield United, was also spotted in team training on Wednesday, after Guardiola revealed last weekend that the playmaker is "the closest one" of the three to make a comeback.
The 32-year-old has been sidelined since August 11 when he tore his hamstring against Burnley on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
De Bruyne's return to training comes as a welcomed boost for Man City, but the Belgian is seemingly unlikely to feature on Sunday after Guardiola suggested last weekend that he is targeting a potential return against Newcastle United in the Premier League on January 13.
One Man City player who was not spotted in first-team training was defender John Stones, who picked up an ankle injury in the first half of the Citizens' 3-1 win at Everton last week.
Guardiola revealed after the match at Goodison Park that Stones's injury "doesn't look good", suggesting that the Englishman could be facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines.
After taking on Championship side Huddersfield in the FA Cup, Man City will shift their focus back to the Premier League where they currently sit third in the table and five points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who have played a game more.
Oliver Thomas
