Pep Guardiola issues Manchester City fitness update ahead of Manchester derby | OneFootball

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has provided an update on his squad’s fitness ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.

City will be looking to return to winning ways with a win over their local rivals after recent back-to-back defeats to Tottenham and Brighton and Hove Albion, leaving the Blues in 13th place in the Premier League table after three games played.

Rodri made his long-awaited return to the starting XI in a 2-1 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion before the international break, with Manchester City surrendering a half-time one-goal advantage to lose early ground on title rivals and current champions Liverpool.

Omar Marmoush suffered a thigh injury whilst on international duty with Egypt this week, which raised fears over the forward’s availability ahead of a tricky trio of games against Manchester United, Napoli and Arsenal.

Speaking in a press conference on Friday afternoon, Guardiola has confirmed that Marmoush is ruled out of the Manchester derby with injury, which could see Savinho or Jeremy Doku start on the left wing against Ruben Amorim’s side.

“He (Marmoush) has to make the last tests, but a few weeks I think. Before or after the (next) international break, he will be ready,” said Guardiola on the 26-year-old.

John Stones withdrew from the latest England National Team camp with a muscle issue, with Guardiola adding that the 31-year-old remains a doubt for the derby. “Stones is a doubt. It’s not a big, big issue but is a doubt for Sunday,” Guardiola said. However, the Catalan’s comments indicate that Josko Gvardiol is back from injury and available for selection on Sunday.

Rayan Cherki missed the defeat in the south coast before the international break after suffering an injury in training in the days leading to the game. Guardiola confirmed that the summer signing from France remains out of contention for the derby.

Rayan Ait-Nouri was hauled off in the first-half of Manchester City’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham but returned to the starting XI against Brighton. However, Guardiola has confirmed that the Algerian left-back is injured and will not be available for Sunday.

Mateo Kovacic is also understood to be back in training after completing rehabilitation following a surgery on his Achilles in the summer, though the Croatian is unlikely to be back playing anytime soon. Phil Foden is also fit and available for Sunday.

City have looked like a shadow of themselves in their recent Premier League outings and Guardiola will be hoping that the international break would have allowed his players to reset and refocus ahead of a crucial run of games.

Manchester United are never an easy outfit to play against and Manchester City have a mixed record against their neighbours at the Etihad Stadium, with Amorim’s men certain to have taken some confidence from City’s recent run of defeats.