Pep Guardiola has given an encouraging update on the fitness of three of his defenders ahead of Manchester City's Premier League clash with Watford on Saturday.
Both Nathan Ake and John Stones limped off during City's 3-0 win against Brighton on Wednesday, joining Kyle Walker on the treatment table. Add to that the fact that Ruben Dias has only just returned from a seven-week lay-off and that Joao Cancelo will miss the first leg of the Champions League semi-final next week through suspension, and City looked to have a crisis on their hands.
However, during his pre-match press conference, Guardiola offered a somewhat positive update. "He's getting better, we'll see tomorrow," Guardiola said when asked about Walker, before saying the same about Ake and revealing that Stones has "niggles".
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That Guardiola hasn't ruled any of them out is positive, although it does leave things up in the air ahead of crucial league and European matches. Here's what City fans on Twitter made of the news.
@mercutio447: Neither should play, Egan Riley or Mbete should start. I mean it is Watford.
@ComeOnAlexa__7: Zinchenko Ruben Dias Laporte and Pep Guardiola back four vs Real Madrid
@trey308: Rest them both. Vital. Let Laporte, Dias, Zinny, and Cancelo handle it.
@fusk4rN: Should not risk him [Walker] ahead of Madrid imo.
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