Benjamin Mendy has stepped up his recovery from a long-term knee injury by returning to training with Manchester City.

The Premier League leaders released photographs of the France left-back participating in a session with his teammates on Monday.

Mendy, 23, has been out since suffering ligament damage in City's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace in September and subsequently undergoing surgery.

Benjamin Mendy was back in training on Monday. Victoria Haydn/Man City via Getty Images

The developments follow an interview Mendy gave last week suggesting he was close to a return, though he later wrote on social media that he didn't recall making those statements.

Mendy made an impressive start at City following his £49.1 million move from Monaco last summer but made only five appearances before being sidelined.

Raheem Sterling was also involved in training after four games out with a muscular injury.