Kevin De Bruyne goes through paces, Bernardo Silva attacked by rain as Manchester City return to training - video and pictures

Premier League clubs have been returning to their training grounds in recent days and on Monday it was the turn of the defending champions. Following the likes of Arsenal , Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City players and coaching staff have resumed training at the City Football Academy. Led by manager Pep Guardiola, City players trained solo and in small groups while sticking to social distancing rules. Contact training remains prohibited for now. Among the City stars going through their paces were midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, winger Raheem Sterling, and striker Sergio Aguero. City's league title defence looks likely to end, with Liverpool holding a 25-point lead at the top of the table. However, Guardiola's side remain very much alive in the Champions League, having defeated Real Madrid 2-1 in the last-16 first leg at the Bernabeu before the coronavirus-enforced lockdown. City are also in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup – where they face Newcastle United – and have successfully retained the League Cup . When City and the rest of England's top flight clubs are able to resume their campaigns remains unclear at present, but players are working hard on their fitness to be ready, as seen in the photo gallery above and the video below. To move on to the next image in the gallery, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

Kevin De Bruyne goes through paces, Bernardo Silva attacked by rain as Manchester City return to training - video and pictures

Led by manager Pep Guardiola, City players trained alone and in small groups while adhering to social distancing rules