Ilkay Gundogan hopes to be fit enough to play a part in Manchester City's preseason programme.

The Germany midfielder saw his first season at City, following a £20 million move from Borussia Dortmund last summer, ended prematurely in December by a knee injury.

The 26-year-old has now returned to training, reporting back ahead of the rest of the squad following the summer break, and hopes to be back on the field in the coming weeks.

City have lined up four matches -- three in the International Champions Cup in the United States -- before beginning their Premier League campaign at Brighton on Aug. 12.

Ilkay Gundogan reported to Man City's training base early as he continues rehab on a knee injury. AP Photo/Dave Thompson

Gundogan told City TV: "It is going well. I am training hard.

"It is not easy to be here on my own, nobody else is here. I started two weeks earlier than the team but I know that it is necessary.

"I still have to do a lot of work until I am back but I am ready and working hard. I am in a good way.

"I am just waiting for the team to come back and maybe I am able to join the first bits of every training session -- so warm-up stuff, some passing, some tactical stuff.

"Then hopefully over the next weeks I will be able to join them for the rest of the training sessions and, of course, the games.''