Ilkay Gundogan emerged unscathed on his long awaited comeback after nine months out with a cruciate knee ligament injury on Tuesday night as Manchester City were beaten 1-0 in a friendly away to Girona.

The City and Germany midfielder, Ilkay Gundogan has been out of action since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Watford last December.

But Gundogan provided City manager Pep Guardiola with a welcome boost when he came on in the second half of the game at the Montilivi Stadium.

Ilkay Gundogan made his first appearance in eight months for Manchester City on Tuesday when he came on as a second-half substitute against Girona in a friendly in Spain.

The German midfielder, who suffered knee ligament damage against Watford last December, could be in contention for a place in the squad for Monday’s home tie against Everton.

Girona beat City 1-0, with the 26-year-old coming on as a substitute in the 71st minute.

City beat promoted Brighton and Hove Albion 2-0 in their Premier League opener on Saturday.