Vincent Kompany has told his Manchester City team-mates that a fighting finish to this season can set the Blues up for a strong 2013/14 campaign.
The big Belgian deftly flicked in his first goal of the season in Saturday's 4-0 win over Newcastle to mark his return to club action after two months out with calf injury problems.
And, while he he has been a frustrated, anxious spectator as the injuries have kept him sidelined since the FA Cup win over Stoke on January 26, Kompany remains positive.
When he limped off at the Britannia Stadium, City were five points behind leaders United and aiming to set up another grandstand finish to the season.
But, shorn of Kompany, after they had already lost the influential Yaya Toure, the Blues stumbled to draws against QPR and Liverpool, followed by defeat at Southampton.
Kompany was forced to watch, while working hard in the gym to strengthen the problematic muscles and keep up his aerobic fitness.
And, while the league title has slipped away, with the gap now 15 points, Kompany says a strong finish to this campaign and an FA Cup triumph will set the Blues up nicely for next season, just as it did in 2011.
"I feel there is still a lot to look forward to, and whichever way we finish this season might set us up for the next one," he said.
"I always remember the way we finished the season when we won the FA Cup. We finished on equal points with Chelsea, which was a massive boost for us, we secured a place in the Champions League and won the FA Cup.
"The year after that we went on to win the title. The end of one season has an impact on how you start the next one."
Kompany was also not about to say anything which implied criticism of his team-mates, especially as Pablo Zabaleta was a natural choice as skipper, and stand-ins Joleon Lescott and Kolo Toure helped to preserve the Blues' status as the meanest defence in the Premier League in his absence.
"It is very difficult to watch. I am more nervous when I don't play than when I do," said Kompany. "But it is always important as a group for everyone to take responsibility. Everybody is able to do something, even when you are not playing, but collectively it is disappointing."
Calf injuries have been a recurring problem for Kompany in the last 12 months, but now he is hoping he is clear of them.
"We have a brilliant medical staff at Manchester City and also with Belgium. In that sense, I have done everything I need to do and more.
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