​Ake reveals 'strange pre-season' behind early Man City struggles | OneFootball

Manchester City star Nathan Ake admits that suffering injuries last season curtailed his integration into the team.

Ake signed from Bournemouth last summer with a growing reputation, but struggled to nail down a regular spot in Pep Guardiola's first team.

As he enters his second campaign, the versatile defender wants to remain fit all season and get as much playing time as possible.

He was absent for 27 matches last term, with most of them coming between Christmas and the middle of March, due to a hamstring issue.

"Last year was a strange pre-season and maybe that affected my whole season with the injuries and stuff - I'll be doing everything I can to be 100 per cent fit," he told reporters after a pre-season win over Preston, per the Manchester Evening News.

"It's good to be back. It's nice to have a little break and go away, but when you come back it's good, you feel happy again."

He added: "I feel OK to be fair. I've tried to stay fit over my holiday and do a bit more. We trained with the team yesterday and now had 45 minutes and fitness will come."