Mwaruwari close to return from injury

Mwaruwari close to return from injury

HITMAN: Benjani Mwaruwari eyes October 2 return to action

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MANCHESTER City striker Benjani Mwaruwari will declare himself fit to face Cyprus club Omonia Nicosia in the UEFA Cup first round second leg on October 2 after missing the start of the English Premier Soccer League season.

Benjani pulled a thigh muscle early August on his return to pre-season training with City. He has not played since – missing City’s first four games of the season and Zimbabwe’s World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations Group 12 match against Guinea.

City beat Omonia Nicosia 2-1 in Cyprus on Thursday night. Omonia fielded Zimbabwean international Noel Kaseke who will relish the chance to line-up against Mwaruwari in the return leg.

As part of his recovery, Mwaruwari was given 10 days off to go home to Zimbabwe in early August before returning to a strict fitness regime with City’s medical staff.

“I’ve been going to the gym a lot. You might think I have been frustrated by this time off but I never really rested between Zimbabwe’s international matches and the start of City’s pre-season training. This time out has really given me a chance to regain my full fitness,” Mwaruwari said on Friday.

City’s medical staff have told the striker he is 10 days off from being declared fit, and he could make a shock return as early as City’s visit to Wigan on September 28, although the player himself is eyeing the Omonia clash to announce his comeback.

“I feel much stronger physically from the gym time that I have been doing. A few defenders will not enjoy 50:50 challenges with me, that’s for sure,” said the 30-year-old striker who scored 15 league goals last season.

Mwaruwari, who watched Thursday’s game on TV, praised Kaseke’s effort playing as a link-man.

“He played very well although we were dominant. We should have been five or seven goals up at the final whistle,” Benjani said.

Kaseke, speaking from Cyprus, told New Zimbabwe.com he was looking forward to the clash at the City of Manchester Stadium.

“It’s always great to face your countryman in such a competition as this,” Kaseke said. “Benjie is a great guy but for 90 minutes, we will be there to try and overturn the score. He must expect a fight back.”

Manchester City added Brazilian strikers Jo and Robinho to their squad and also completed the recapture of Shaun Wright-Phillips from Chelsea during the summer on top of appointing Mark Hughes as the new manager.

Mwaruwari said: “My future remains at City. I have spoken to the manager and I’m very much part of his plans. I can’t wait to get back to playing and scoring.”
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