Manchester City's Valeri Bojinov is nearing full fitness from an Achilles injury that has kept him out since pre-season.

The Bulgaria international ruptured his Achilles and has hardly trained since the incident but now is getting closer to recovery and is expected to take part in a practice match at City's training ground.

Manager Mark Hughes said it was good news for the squad that the 21-year old was almost back.

"We arranged a behind-closed-doors game today, and we were looking for him to play a half or maybe even an hour," Hughes told the club's official website.

"That will do him good, but he has been training at full tilt with the rest of the squad for a week now. He's looked good, but what he needs is games."