Kyle Walker had admitted that Man City have missed Aymeric Laporte after the defender made a successful return from injury against Sheffield United on Tuesday night.
Laporte hadn't played since the fourth game of the season when he suffered ligament damage and a torn lateral meniscus after coming worse off in a challenge with Brighton's Adam Webster.
The injury kept Laporte out of action for four months and his absence was felt as City's grip on their Premier League title slipped away, but now the Frenchman has returned just in time for the Champions League knockout stages.
He played 79 minutes on his comeback in a hard fought 1-0 win at Bramall Lane and was straight back into the action as he gave and received some crunching tackles.
Walker is relived that City's star defender is back on the pitch.
"Aymer's a great player, he's proved it since the time he's been here," he told BT Sport after the game.
"We've missed him a lot but the players who have stepped in for him have done really well. We have to look at ourselves this year rather than as a team. Hopefully next season, or whatever we're fighting for this season in the cups, hopefully we can do it."
It was a homecoming for Walker as he returned to his former club and he was thankful that Sergio Aguero managed to pop up with the only goal of the game.
"It's always good to be back here, I always come back and watch whenever I can do," the right-back added.
"But what was important was bouncing back from the loss of points we had at the weekend. Thankful for the clean sheet and also the three points.
"We found it hard to break them down but luckily this man came on and he always gets the goals."
Aguero started the game on the bench but still managed to grab the decisive goal, bagging his sixth strike in just three games. Though he insists the goals only matter to him when the team wins.
"Yeah, always I say the goal is important for me when we win," the Argentine said. "I'm happy "I am happy as we needed three points and are more comfortable in second position.
"I am very hungry [to score goals]. I enjoy the moment but the most important thing is my team-mates as they help me all the time."