Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says striker Sergio Aguero "could" feature against Stoke on Saturday.
However, Guardiola added that Aguero is still 'not 100 per cent', after breaking a rib in a car crash just two weeks ago.
Aguero came through training successfully on Thursday, after which he declared that he was 'ready' for first-team action.
Guardiola told the media on Friday: "He did his first training session, after what happened.
"He did it quite well. Hopefully, as soon as possible, he will be back.
"Maybe (he will feature against Stoke). Today, in the last training session, we are going to see.
"Of course, he is not 100 per cent but he recovered quite well.
"We will see. We are happy he is back in training."
Aguero needs one goal to equal Eric Brook's all-time City goalscoring record of 177, which has stood since 1939.
City skipper Vincent Kompany has been out since he played for Belgium at the end of August and Guardiola says the defender is on the mend but not yet ready to return.
"He is still injured," said the City boss. "He's much, much better but he is still injured.
"Hopefully, it is the last part.
"It depends on him, when he will come back."
Manchester City are riding the crest of a wave after a superb September, which has taken them to the top of the Premier League on goal difference and earned Guardiola the Manager of the Month award.
But Guardiola thinks there is still room for improvement and expects Stoke to prove resolute visitors at the Etihad this weekend.
"I am so happy with what we have done, of course," said the Spaniard.
"Still we have a good gap to improve but I am really impressed.
"This month will be so important, we have a lot of games at home (two Premier League, one Champions League, one Carabao Cup), and especially we play Champions League against a team (Napoli) who I am so impressed by. I am so fascinated to have this test.
"Stoke are defensively well organised, with quality up front in (Xherdan) Shaqiri, Jese, and (Eric Maxim) Choupo-Moting. When they need the long balls, (Peter) Crouch is unstoppable in the air.
"Last season we were not able to beat them here at home. It'll be a tough game."