Sergio Aguero has returned to training with Manchester City after missing two games with a knee injury.
The Argentine striker, 24, was carried off on a stretcher in the
3-2 win over Southampton
on 19 August.
But City, who are away to Stoke City on 15 September, have published pictures of a smiling Aguero back in training on their website.
"Whether Stoke is too soon for a return or not remains to be seen," a caption with the pictures read.
Despite missing the 2-2 draw at Liverpool on 26 August and the 3-1 home win over Queens Park Rangers on 1 September, Aguero was still named in the Argentina squad for World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru.
City manager Roberto Mancini described Argentina's decision as "ridiculous".
Aguero was injured in a challenge with Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne, with Mancini remarking afterwards: "I don't think Sergio will be out for long and we are hoping he will be back after the international break.
"It looked like a very strange injury at the time and because it was his knee, we were obviously very concerned so this news is a relief for everybody."
Aguero later tweeted that it had been a "tough hit" to his right knee but said there was "no significant injury".
The Argentine has become a key player for City, scoring 23 league goals in his debut season following last summer's £38m move from Atletico Madrid, including the goal that gave them a 3-2 victory over QPR on the final day to secure the title.
Mancini also expects Gareth Barry to be available after the international break.
The England midfielder has been out since withdrawing from England's Euro 2012 squad with a hip injury and he has since had a hernia operation.
"Gareth hasn't played any games for almost four months and he needs to build his fitness up," said Mancini. "But he is training again and I don't see him being out for any longer than one month and, hopefully, maybe just a couple of weeks."
City right-back Micah Richards suffered an ankle injury playing for Great Britain at the Olympics and there was also encouraging news on his return.
"Micah's injury is more serious and he could be out a little longer, but having said that, with rest and the right treatment, we are hopeful he could be ready in about one month," added the City boss.
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