Ilkay Gundogan is hoping to be back in time for the start of next season after stepping up his recovery from a cruciate knee ligament injury.
The Germany international, who only joined Manchester City in the summer as Pep Guardiola's first signing, had surgery on his knee in December. He was ruled out for the rest of this season but is hoping to be fully fit in time for a preseason tour in the summer.
"I am pretty okay. I can now start moving normal again, and getting back to a normal everyday life," he told German newspaper Sport1.
"It wasn't possible up until one or two weeks ago. The big goal is to return to fitness for the new season. I want to make the best of the time until preseason starts in July to be ready."
It is the third significant injury that Gundogan has suffered in his career. He joined City from Borussia Dortmund in a £27 million deal despite still recovering from a dislocated kneecap he suffered in May. He was also out for 15 months with a serious back injury.
The 26-year-old admitted it was tough to go through another big injury although he says previous setbacks have made him more resilient.
"Maybe that's because I am going through it for the umpteenth time," he added. "And I do believe that the previous injuries did something to me and maybe made me more mature. Maybe I can handle injuries better now.
"That was extremely bitter indeed, also because I was in good form the weeks leading up to my injury, and on a very good sporting path. But it is like it is -- injuries are a part of football. "It was extreme for me in the past three years, but I will again return strengthened and will do all I can to stay injury-free."
Gundogan's loss has been a big blow for Guardiola although it has been softened by the return of midfielder Yaya Toure, who missed the first three months of the season following comments from the Ivorian's agent.
City are eight points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea and Gundogan says the focus is more on securing Champions League football for a seventh consecutive season than the title, although they will try to keep the pressure on Antonio Conte's side.
"We are actually in a good position, although you had the impression in the past weeks that everything can change on one matchday," he said. "Chelsea are currently the runaway leaders, but naturally we at least want to achieve automatic qualification for the Champions League. That's our goal, and that's also Pep Guardiola's goal. It's in our hands again.
"Chelsea would have to slip several times. I don't know if that's possible, they look pretty stable to me. But if there's a chance, we should be ready for that case."