Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany believes he has overcome his knee injury and is in excellent condition for the title run-in.
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The Belgian has played through the pain barrier after incurring a problem in training the day before his side's 3-2 defeat to Liverpool, when he played but struggled and was partly culpable for all three goals.
And centre-back Kompany, who has played every game since then, admits he has had some difficult times but feels the worst is over.
#INSERT type:image caption:Kompany is hoping to lead City to a second title in three years. END#
"I've really had some tough weeks," he told national newspapers. "I've had to manage the pain and only been able to play, not train too much.
"At Everton [on Saturday] I was feeling much better. I felt like I played with a plaster around my knee the last few weeks.
"Now I feel fine. Physically I'm strong again. I knew I could play the games if I managed the pain. I've done my best this season so I could not do any more."
City are waiting to see if top scorer Sergio Aguero will be fit to face Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. The Argentine was substituted in the first half of the 3-2 win over Everton but described it as a "precaution."
Midfielder Yaya Toure, however, has declared himself fit for City's final two games against Aston Villa and West Ham.