Sane, Toure still in the mix

– Pep Guardiola has assured Leroy Sane and Yaya Toure (above) they have important roles to play at Manchester City as his unbeaten side prepare to face struggling Crystal Palace.

Sane, 21, started for just the second time this season as City beat West Brom in the League Cup in midweek, taking their return to six wins and a draw from their seven league and cup games.

He celebrated by scoring twice in a 2-1 win while fellow midfielder Toure also started, used for the first time this season by Guardiola, who had left him out of his squad altogether in recent weeks.

Guardiola praised German Sane, signed for £37 million from Schalke in August 2016, for his midweek performance.

“He played so well, not just in terms of goals, although his second goal was fantastic, but also with the way he kept the ball,” the manager said.

Toure, 34, has had a fractious relationship with the City manager, dating back to their time together at Barcelona, although Guardiola insists that the Ivory Coast player, too, has a role to play.

After the Palace match at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, City host Shakhtar Donestsk in the Champions League on Tuesday before visiting reigning champions Chelsea.

“We need him and it’s not easy for the players who didn’t play in the last games,” said Guardiola.

“Everybody will play. We have a lot of games. Three days later we have a game, then three days later we have the Champions League and after that Stamford Bridge.”

City received an injury boost as tests showed German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan hadn’t suffered serious damage to his left knee after limping off at The Hawthorns on his first start in nine months.

Gundogan was just back from another long-term knee injury, but his latest problem was diagnosed as a sprain and the 26-yearold is expected to return to training in the coming days.

Palace, still without a Premier League goal, face a daunting task if they are to collect their first point after a disastrous start to the season.

With Manchester United and Chelsea next up, things could get significantly worse for Roy Hodgson’s side. – AFP

It’s not easy for the players who didn’t play in the last games. Pep Guardiola Manchester City manager