Everton v Man City: Everything Pep Guardiola said on Olek Zinchenko, Ukraine, Gabriel Jesus & Jack Grealish

Pep Guardiola has said Oleksandr Zinchenko has the support of everyone at Manchester City following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine this week.

Zinchenko, a Ukrainian international, has been vocal in his support of his native people, and attended a vigil at Manchester’s St Peter’s Square on Thursday evening, in protest at the invasion.

Guardiola explained he has spoken with the 25-year-old, who he said is understandably concerned with by the events in his homeland.

The City manager was asked four questions about Zinchenko in Friday’s pre-match conference ahead of the trip to face Everton on Saturday and, irrelevant as it may seem, Guardiola said the left-back is available for selection.

The 51-year-old also revealed Gabriel Jesus and Jack Grealish are options again after returning from recent injuries.

Here’s everything Guardiola said on the two subjects during Friday’s media briefing...

Zinchenko & Ukraine

“It’s a worry. What would we feel if the country where we were born and have family and friends is attacked? Killing innocent people, how would you feel? So, I guess that’s how he feels. Of course the team and the club are close to him.

“Of course he has our support, this is normal. We have people living every day together, it can happen in the country he was born, he loves, it’s attacked from outside and killing innocent people. He’s tough and knows exactly that we are here.

“I spoke personally with him, of course. We are not living out of this world and this affects life. He is concerned but Olek is an incredibly strong guy. Of course, it is not easy. But today in the training session he was brilliant. He is ready to play just in case I ask him.

“What would you do if someone abroad attacked the UK? How would you react?

“How would you feel? That is what he feels.

“What happened in Yugoslavia, no-one did anything and they killed themselves for many years. Around the world there are many wars, it's a pity because innocent people are going to die when they just want to live in peace. All around the world people want to live in peace; have a house, to sleep well, food on the table, movies, books, walks and some people to love.

“When you are not involved in anything, they attack your country and it should be complicated to arrive at this point. Always innocent people in this situation pay the terrible price, to lose their lives because of the decisions of one or two people. It’s hard to accept.

“Still we don't learn what happened in the past. Right now what happened in Syria, in many places. At the end, the strong part always kill the weak one.”

Jesus and Grealish return

“They are ready and it is so important for us.

“Gabriel is so important in many aspects we don't have. For the inspiration when we need the movements in behind, the actions in the final third.

“Unfortunately he was out for a little bit, two or three weeks, Jack as well. But they are back, and how they move these two or three days was good.”