Pep Guardiola press conference: Abdukodir Khusanov, John Stones and Jeremy Doku fitness updates ahead of Fulham | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has issued a fitness update ahead of Wednesday night’s Premier League meeting with Fulham at the Etihad Stadium.

The Blues received a monumental confidence boost at the weekend after coming from behind to run out 2-1 winners over Liverpool at Anfield, with Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland securing City’s first league double over the Reds since 1937.

Silva was deemed doubtful to feature against Arne Slot’s men but shook off what Guardiola described as an ‘incredible knock’ in the days leading to what is arguably Manchester City’s most important Premier League triumph in recent seasons.

City also welcomed Ruben Dias back to action in the second-half against Liverpool after Abdukodir Khusanov went off with a suspected concussion, though the Uzbek defender drew huge praise from Guardiola for a formidable defensive display on his first visit to Anfield.

John Stones returned to full first-team training last week but was missing from the matchday squad against Liverpool, with Jeremy Doku also absent from the travelling group as he recovers from a calf injury sustained against Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League at the end of January.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of Wednesday evening’s meeting with Fulham at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola provided a thorough fitness update on his squad as Manchester City search for a third consecutive win in all competitions.

The 55-year-old confirmed that Khusanov is fit and ready to retain his starting place against Fulham, which could see him partner one of Dias or January signing Marc Guehi in central defence.

Guardiola stated that Manchester City did not train on Monday and that at the time of the press conference, he had not met his players.

When probed for updates on Savinho, Stones and Doku, Guardiola added: “I didn’t train with them. We train this afternoon. John (Stones) is back, fit I would say – yeah, everybody is okay.”

Stones is unlikely to be thrown into action against Fulham, with Savinho also unlikely to start as Guardiola did not specifically mention that the Brazilian forward is back from injury and ready to return.

Doku is also not expected to start against Fulham as Guardiola and his coaching staff will be cognisant of the 23-year-old Belgian’s recent muscle injuries and with the recent form shown by January signing Antoine Semenyo and Omar Marmoush, City still have plenty of firepower up top.