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Victory against Crystal Palace marked another return from injury for Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy.

The Frenchman has spent the vast majority of his City career on the treatment table since making a £52million move from Monaco in the summer of 2017.

Mendy arrived with a reputation as one of France's best attacking full-backs, playing a crucial role in their successful title bid alongside fellow City star Bernardo Silva.

The defender featured 25 times in Ligue 1 and was one of the best players on the pitch as Monaco sent City crashing out of the Champions League.

He made a bright start to his stint at the Etihad Stadium, featuring in City's 5-0 win against Liverpool and 6-0 win against Watford before suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury at home to Crystal Palace.

Mendy required surgery but has never returned to full fitness since, requiring surgery again in November 2018.

Coincidentally, return from his latest setback came during City's 2-0 win against the Eagles at Selhurst Park.

It was a crucial win for Pep Guardiola's men as they attempt to reduce the deficit to Liverpool in the Premier League standings.

The Catalan will be pleased to welcome his defender back into the fold given the stats suggest his importance in the race for the title may be understated.

Mendy has made 28 appearances for City and has never ever lost a game he's played in for the Blues.

City have won 25 times with the left-back on the field, scoring 85 goals in the process while conceding only 11.

The left-back has the highest points per appearance average (2.79) in the entire squad.

Guardiola has already bemoaned City's hectic fixture schedule over the festive period, joking he would keep his players in the fridge to guard them from injuries - having Mendy as an option would be a welcome boost.

The City boss knows the impact the defender can have.

Back in August, he said: "If Benjamin is fit he will have success.

"He has a special quality."

As he slowly builds towards full fitness, the Frenchman can play a pivotal role in City's hunt for a third consecutive Premier League crown.