Manchester City star playmaker llkay Gundogan has revealed why he is wearing a protective face mask while playing.

The 27-year-old also believes that it will ultimately improve him as a player.

Gundogan suffered a broken nose last year and has been struggling with his breathing ever since. The midfielder put off surgery earlier in the summer due to nthe 2018 World Cup.

“My nose got broken, so I had to, and wanted, to have it done,” Gundogan told the Manchester Evening News.

“Because we were knocked out so early in the World Cup there was the possibility to do it. I am happy I did.

“I don’t need the mask any more so I can just play normally.”

“Maybe it’s not just physically, but more in terms of sleeping well, of regeneration in the night – continuous sleep is better than waking up one or twice every night,” he said.

“It helps me in my normal life, and if it helps me even two or three per cent in games, even better.”

However, Gundogan has admitted that playing with the mask on is quite difficult.

“A few of them asked me to keep it until the end of the season, but it’s quite difficult because you sweat under the mask a lot, so I am glad I don’t have to keep it,” he said.

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Man City were held to a 2-2 draw by the newly promoted Wolves on Saturday.

Gundogan provided the assist for City’s second goal on the day. Pep Guardiola’s side are back in action on Saturday when they take on Newcastle United.