Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has claimed that his mindset is "stronger than anybody out there" as he bids to help his team to success.
The 31-year-old has started the last three Premier League games after struggling with a calf injury in September and October, helping City continue their unbeaten start to the season.
Kompany has suffered a spate of injuries in recent years and, since joining City in 2008, has been sidelined for more than 900 days - approximately two-and-a-half years - in total.
"I always say this, I'm not promising anything when it comes to health, nobody can, not even you," the Belgian told Sky Sports News.
"But I am promising one thing: that my mindset is stronger than anybody out there. I know what to do when I am fit and when I am called upon, so that's what I want to give to the club and the fans.
"Of course it's frustrating [being out], but I've learned one thing: you can always improve. The amount of times I have been able to visualise games, imagine myself in positions, without necessarily being out on the pitch, imagining passes and certain defensive moves against certain strikers, I've realised that it is absolutely possible to improve without even being among the lads and training with them."
Kompany has made 319 appearances for City in all competition since his move from Hamburg nine years ago.