Manchester City's Ivorian striker Wilfried Bony (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring their fifth goal of the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England, on October 17, 2015. Manchester City won the game 5-1. AFP PHOTO / LINDSEY PARNABY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images)LINDSEY PARNABY/Getty Images

Wilfried Bony Reveals He Dealt with Malaria During Manchester City's Pre-Season

Christopher SimpsonOct 17, 2015

Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony has admitted he missed the club's pre-season preparations due to suffering from malaria.

According to Anthony Jepson of the Manchester Evening News, the Ivorian was struck with the illness in a visit to his home country in the summer. He said: "I got malaria from Africa when I was coming back but I am OK now."

The 26-year-old's slow start to the season is completely understandable given his situation, and the striker now believes he is fully recovered, adding:

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"I feel I have turned the corner. I have had a lot of injuries and been sick, and feel that is all away from me now."

Indeed, Bony looked more like his usual self as he bagged a brace on Saturday in City's 5-1 win over Bournemouth. The MEN's Stuart Brennan was impressed with his contribution:

His return to form and fitness is excellently timed from the Sky Blues' perspective, as they will be without Sergio Aguero for some time after he was injured on international duty with Argentina.

City have key games with Sevilla and Manchester United coming up, so to keep their Champions League and Premier League campaigns on track they'll need Bony to replicate his scoring exploits.

Provided he can recover in time after Saturday's exertions, there's a strong chance the potent forward can play a crucial role in securing vital points for his side.