Manchester City star playmaker Ilkay Gundogan has revealed that he is extremely happy to be over his injury problems.

The 25-year-old missed close to a year of football due to a knee injury in 2016 and sat out of World Cup 2014 due to a back injury.

However, Gundogan has established himself as a first-team regular in Pep Guardiola’s Man City side this season and has regained his place in the Germany national team.

Gundogan stared against Brazil during their international friendly on Tuesday evening.

In an interview with Manchester City’s official website, the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder admits he is delighted to be playing football regularly again.

“It feels great now to be back and part of the team, to play my own individual role, which is also important,” Gundogan told Man City’s official website.

I’m enjoying it and I’m very happy. It’s a very happy period for make in my life and my career again. I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs in the past, so obviously it feels great to be back and to train and play.

“I can’t even compare it [to last year during the injury]. It feels so much in the past. I don’t even want to think about it.

“It’s a big change now for me, a very happy change. It feels great, I’m enjoying it a lot and obviously I’m doing everything I can to stay fit,” added the German.

“I just think about now, about being part of the team, about training well and playing well, about doing what the manager and the staff want me to transport into the team.

“I have my own impact and during the last months I was still on my way to my best. Now, I feel nearly or already there, and I am having fun and I’m happy.”

Gundogan could be back in action for Man City when they take on Everton in the Premier League this weekend.

The clash takes place at Goodison Park on Saturday while kick-off is scheduled for 17:30 (GMT)

Guardiola may, however, opt to rest the midfield playmaker with the UEFA Champions League clash with Liverpool on the horizon.