Ilkay back but doubt still lingers

ILKAY GUNDOGAN bared his soul after nine months out through injury and admitted he may never be the same player again. The Germany midfielder returned from his lay-off with ruptured cruciate ligaments as a second-half sub in Manchester City’s six-goal romp at Watford. But after two major knee injuries the 26-year-old (below) conceded: “There are doubts if I will be at the same level I had before.” Boss Pep Guardiola (above) identified Gundogan’s extended absence as a key factor behind the failure to win a trophy last season. And the £20million signing from Borussia Dortmund 15 months ago – who tomorrow at West Brom in the Carabao Cup is set for his first start since December – was given an ovation when he came off the bench at Watford. Gundogan, who scored twice in the Champions League win over Barcelona in November before his season was a write-off, said: “I didn’t doubt I’d play again – I was quite sure I’d come back. Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are quite common so you have surgery, the doctors know what they’re doing and the physios know how to rehabilitate the player, so it’s nothing special. “But of course it’s a long recovery and this is my second knee injury. If I said I’m the same player now as I was a year ago, I’d be lying.”