Bailly feels he is fit to play, although he was not risked on Tranmere's difficult pitch at the weekend, and he could be involved in the Manchester derby tonight, in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.

“I've always remained motivated, equally at my best, as well as in my worst moments of injury,” he added. “I had some difficult times last year but, once those times have passed, they are the past, and it's time to make the most of these opportunities now presenting themselves.

“I'm fit and well, I'm back training with the team, building confidence for my return. This is going to be a very important year.

“Given those conditions [at Tranmere], it wouldn't have been the right pitch for a player returning from a long-term injury to start his returning match on such a surface.