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Wilfried Bony confirmed that he missed pre-season with City after picking up malaria during a summer trip to his Ivory Coast homeland.

The City striker burst back into action with two goals as the Blues beat Bournemouth 5-1 to stay top of the table.

And he feels his jinxed time since he moved to City in January is now behind him – after a series of injuries and that bout of illness which stopped him from flying to Australia to join the summer tour.

He started the season as Sergio Aguero was a late returnee from the Copa America, but since then has picked up two more injuries – after missing just four games in two seasons for Swansea.

With a run of games in the side beckoning, Bony feels his bad luck is now behind him.

“I got malaria from Africa when I was coming back but I am OK now,” he said.

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“It has been four years now that I didn't make pre-season – sometimes it happens like this, that you have the worst time and get a lot of injuries, then other times you are just happy. I am OK now.

“I feel I have turned the corner. I have had a lot of injuries and been sick, and feel that is all away from me now.

“I just want to do my job, do my best in training and score when get my chance in the match. Every striker is happy when he scores, especially when the team wins.

“This is a good chance for me and it started to work today, so let's hope it carries on like this.”

Watch: Manuel Pellegrini discuss City's big win