Tuesday 25 October 2016 09:46, UK
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany admits he is being extra cautious to ensure his latest injury comeback bid does not falter.
There were fears for his future at City when he failed to make the bench for last week's 4-0 Champions League defeat away to Barcelona.
Kompany had returned from his latest lay-off - the 34th during his time at the Etihad - in the previous game against Everton and was expected to be in the matchday squad at the Nou Camp.
Manager Pep Guardiola later revealed the 30-year-old did not feel 100 per cent ready and so decided not to take a risk on his participation.
I've had to make one commitment to the medical staff, which was that I'd be honest towards them with my feelings.
The Belgium international subsequently returned to action as he played 78 minutes of Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw with Southampton, his first top-flight start since April.
"My situation is very simple," Kompany said ahead of Wednesday's EFL Cup fourth round clash with rivals Manchester United, live on Sky Sports. "I've been out for six months.
"I've had to make one commitment to the medical staff, which was that I'd be honest towards them with my feelings, and that I would listen to them when they made a decision.
"I told them how I felt the day before the game and they made the decision for me. I wanted to play, of course, that wasn't even in doubt, but I've just made this commitment to listen to them a little bit more."
Kompany has been one of City's most influential players in recent years but his recurring fitness issues, usually muscle related, have made his place in Guardiola's plans less certain, although the player himself remains convinced he can get back to his best.
"I know what I have to do to be back at my level," he added.
"Motivation only keeps going up because I feel like I belong on the pitch and I deserve to have good moments because of how I've worked every single day to come back."
