Sane return a real tough call for Pep

LEROY SANE’S long-awaited return for Manchester City has given Pep Guardiola a selection dilemma ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League restart.

Sane is fully fit after recovering from the serious knee ligament injury he suffered in the Community Shield back in August and is pushing for a place to face Arsenal.

However, his commitment to City is being questioned because the Germany star has refused the club’s offer of a new contract and has just 12 months left on his existing deal.

The left winger, 24, is a long-term target for Bayern Munich, who wanted to sign him last summer before his knee injury.

That injury, coupled with coronavirus and his diminishing contract, has impacted on Sane’s value and he is now worth significantly less than the £140m City felt he could fetch 12 months ago.

Although the Premier League title has all but gone, City can still win another treble, with them well placed in the Champions League and FA Cup and having already lifted the Carabao Cup in March.

Guardiola must now decide what part Sane (inset, left) should play in this bid.

Ex-city midfielder Michael Brown feels playing Sane should be a no-brainer because of what he brings to the team.

“I think he’s been a big miss for City,” said Brown.

“You see Raheem Sterling coming in off the lines from one side, you’ve seen Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva out in those wide areas, but Sane gives you that pace, that power, that direction.

“He wants to push it past the full-back and get in the wide areas, getting crosses in, so he’s certainly been missed. I think he’ll be key for City and Pep to give them another option in forward areas.”

Sane has been an attacking force for the champions, having managed 25 goals and 28 assists in his 89 Premier League appearances.

He played in an 11 v 11 game for Guardiola’s squad at the Etihad at the end of last week and admitted his injury was the hardest he has had to overcome.

Sane said: “You have to push yourself every day because you know it’s a long rehab. But it was a good opportunity to work on weaknesses and that’s why I took it as a chance to recover well and come back strong.”

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