Benjamin Mendy insists he is no troublemaker and vowed to stick to the rulebook as the Manchester City left-back looks to make up for lost time.
The 24-year-old has endured a topsy-turvy time since arriving at the Etihad Stadium in 2017.
Mendy's first season with City was brought to an abrupt halt by a cruciate ligament injury and, having helped France win the World Cup, on Saturday he made his first start since undergoing meniscus surgery in November.
The full-back helped seal a hard-fought 1-0 FA Cup semi-final win against Brighton, but the questions after did not only revolve around fitness.
Disciplined last September for reporting late to have treatment on a foot injury after attending a boxing event, Mendy was this week subject of reports that he was in a nightclub in the early hours having not been included in the squad for Fulham later that same day.
"I feel so good, and I am very happy," the City defender said.
"The team-mates and the staff have been really good.
"I am not a doctor. I follow the rules. The excuse is not one.
"This injury (following an attempted comeback in January)... when I came back sometimes the swelling stayed.
"But now it's good, we can forget the past and think about the future.
"I feel really fit and I want to give everything I can to help my team."
Mendy's return to the fold is certainly a welcome shot in the arm at a crunch stage of the campaign.
City have already wrapped up the Carabao Cup and sealed their place in the FA Cup final on Saturday, while they remain in the driving seat for the Premier League.
Guardiola's men are the bookmakers' favourite to win the Champions League and kick off their quarter-final clash with Tottenham at the north Londoners' stunning new home on Tuesday.
"I have missed a lot of games, but my team-mates have been incredible," Mendy said.
"So we need to trust and to believe it for going on the end with a lot of trophies.
"We will have a good rest and we will see after when we have seen the manager and follow the rules.
"We are happy we want to win as many trophies as possible. So we try to play good, to give everything for the fans. That is what we did today."
