New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has expressed his delight at having wide receiver Victor Cruz back in training.

Cruz took part in team practice yesterday for the first time in two weeks, having picked up a bruised heel in his side's pre-season match against the Indianapolis Colts on August 18.

Manning believes that the 26-year-old's return helps him when it comes to providing more of an offensive threat, as well as increasing the excitement ahead of the new season.

"It's good to have all your weapons out there at wide receiver," ESPN quotes Manning as saying.

"So it's good to see him moving around out there and it's exciting as we're getting ready for this opening game."

Cruz is expected to be fit to play in the Giants' first game of the season, which comes against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.