KYLE KEEN TO OFFER REAL LIFT

BY

PEP GUARDIOLA is considering starting Kyle Walker in Manchester City’s decisive Champions League quarter-final showdown with Real Madrid.

Walker (above) has not played for City since March 16, after suffering a hamstring injury on England duty in a friendly against Brazil.

City missed his pace and experience in their epic 3-3 draw at the Bernabeu last week but Walker was on the bench for Saturday’s 5-1 win over Luton.

The 33-year-old defender is desperate to start against Real, although Guardiola said he had yet to make up his mind over who to play at right-back.

Asked about Walker’s fitness, City boss Guardiola said: “He feels much better but he was injured, so we will see in the next few days.

“But he’s good, he feels good. Maybe he can help with minutes because it’s a ‘final’, but I don’t want to lose him for a long time if he gets injured. He will train a bit more now and we will decide.

“I know how important Kyle is against the players from Real Madrid. But he was not in Madrid and Manu [Akanji], Josko [Gvardiol], John [Stones] and Ruben [Dias] played incredibly well. We will see.”

Stones did not make the bench on Saturday with Guardiola revealing the Three Lions defender was left out as a precaution.

“He had some problems, some niggles,” said the Spaniard. “He’s fine, he’s not injured, but he felt uncomfortable and we didn’t want to take risks, that’s all.”

Kevin De Bruyne missed the first leg against Real after being sick shortly before kick-off. He played on Saturday but was withdrawn 15 minutes from time (inset, far left).

“Did he want to stay on the pitch?” added Guardiola. “No, I’m the boss. With us leading 3-0 at 75 minutes – on the bench with me.”