Leroy Sane is hopeful of returning to action from his serious knee injury to face Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The Manchester City forward, 24, has been stepping up his rehabilitation in the last month after being sidelined with anterior-cruciate damage since the Community Shield at the start of the campaign.

Pep Guardiola has stated that the Germany international is on course to play this season and there is cautious optimism about him being ready for the second leg of the Champions League tie against Madrid on March 17.

Sane was back on the training pitches just before Christmas after the first phase of his recovery went to plan.

He could play a big part in the final two months of the campaign should he continue with his progress, as Guardiola looks to the knockout competitions for his trophies this season.

Guardiola has conceded City’s title to Liverpool, who are 14 points ahead heading into the weekend.