Guardiola gives fitness update on three Man City players

Pep Guardiola was asked about the fitness of three players ahead of the Wolves game. Credit: Getty.

Pep Guardiola has said he is not expecting Aymeric Laporte to be back in time for Saturday’s game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Kyle Walker remains a doubt.

Manchester City travel to Molineux for a 12:30pm kick-off and will have limited options in defence.

Laporte has not been involved at all this season after he underwent knee surgery in the summer, but has returned to first-team training and could be an option for City after the international break.

Meanwhile, Walker picked up a knock in the 1-1 draw away to Aston Villa earlier this month and hasn’t featured since. But after he was included in the England squad on Thursday, it was hoped he could be an option for Saturday’s game.

“Ayme is back in training but is not ready,” said Guardiola in Friday’s pre-match press conference.

Laporte has been back in training. Credit: Getty.

“Kyle is getting better but I don't know if he will be ready tomorrow. We will see in the training this afternoon how he feels.”

Kalvin Phillips has also had an injury-impacted campaign and has played just one minute of Premier League football since his summer move from Leeds United.

Phillips came on in the second half against Dortmund. Credit: Getty.

But Guardiola said the midfielder is ‘a little better’ ahead of the clash with Wolves. Other than that, it should be a full-strength squad for the Catalan, with the absences of Laporte and Walker meaning City have seven defenders to choose from.

As for the opposition, Diego Costa could make his debut for Wolves and Bruno Lage said he is ‘ready to compete’ this weekend, when speaking on Friday.

Pep Guardiola gives fitness update on three Man City players ahead of Wolves game