It's great to see him back. 23-year-old creative midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has restarted full training alongside his Dortmund team-mates, including Japanese midfielder Shinji Kagawa (right) as he attempts to get back into the side; as the 2014-15 Bundesliga season got underway three weeks ago.
It seems like years since Gundogan was last on the football pitch, having struggled with a cluster of different injuries at a key time for both club and country, as Germany had their World Cup campaign without him and Dortmund were unable to challenge to the end for the Bundesliga title with rivals Bayern last year.
His team-mate and forward Marco Reus is out for four weeks with an ankle injury that he suffered against Scotland in an international friendly earlier this week, this is what Gundogan had to say to BILD:
"Four weeks may sound like a lot, and they are annoying - but given my history that's practically nothing. I would have given anything to have been out for only four to six weeks; I had to learn to live with injury and that is just part of the game."
Gundogan also talked about his recovery, and how he is not scared to get back into the squad:
"I have no fear at all and am able to go into tackles like I always did, without holding myself back. I know I have not yet reached my goal because I cannot claim to be in the form I was before my injury, but if everything goes well and the coach picks me, then I presume that I can play against Anderlecht (Champions League) at the start of October. That is the first game I will be ready for."
Encouraging words from him, especially given the length of his injury. He hasn't given up, maintained a positive attitude and the news on his fitness is a real boost for a Dortmund side who are one of the best in Europe when all of their players are fit.