Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry is progressing well in his battle to recover from an operation on his hernia, although as yet neither player nor club has pencilled in a definite date for his return to the first team squad.

Barry has yet to take to the field for City this season, but the news that he is on his way back to full fitness will be a relief to fans and manager Roberto Mancini following a rather shaky defence of their title in the first few matches of the new season.

City are the favourites with both the majority of the football writers and with those betting on the outcome, at online casino and sports bet sites many of which also offer other games such as online blackjack Australia, to retain the Premier League title this season, but they have looked less than convincing in the opening matches.

After needing two late goals to overcome newly promoted Southampton at the Etihad in their first match the team went on to require another late goal from Carlos Tevez to salvage a point against Liverpool. There has also been concerns expressed amongst fans and the media about the four goals conceded in those matches, which indicates that the steel that a player like Barry adds to the centre of midfield is something badly needed.

Barry has taken to the field again, in the wake of his operation, playing for the 45 minutes of the Elite Development Squad’s game against Middlesbrough, and he is hopeful that a return to first team action for City will be possible before long:

“I’m not a good spectator and I don’t enjoy watching the games,” Barry said in an interview with the official Manchester City website, adding:

“I’d much rather be out there playing so I’m obviously really looking forward to getting my season off and running again.”