John Stones is targeting a return to first-team action in Manchester City’s away league match against Huddersfield on May 6, claims The Daily Telegraph.
The 23-year-old has endured a difficult year with injury and form and is now being linked with a stunning move away from City.
Pep Guardiola’s side have reportedly already denied Stones is free to leave this summer and now the England international is focused on proving his fitness before the 2018 World Cup.
Stones has only started two of City’s last 12 matches in all competitions and has dropped to fourth choice in the pecking order for places at centre-back following Aymeric Laporte’s cub-record arrival in January.
Despite dropping out of favour under Guardiola, Stones is one of the first names on the teamsheet for Gareth Southgate and it’s crucial he is fully fit before this summer’s World Cup.
City have already wrapped up the Premier League title and Stones hopes to return from his abductor injury for their final three games of the season.
Only Borussia Dortmund defender Omar Toprak (95.7%) has a better pass success rate than Stones (95.5%) in the Champions League this season.
