Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Pep not taking it lightly
THE fitness of David Silva ahead of this weekend’s derby overshadowed the build-up to Manchester City’s inconsequential Champions League match away to Shakhtar Donetsk.
Manager Pep Guardiola revealed the Spain playmaker suffered a knock in the latter stages of Sunday’s victory over West Ham, a game in which he scored City’s late winner.
The midfielder is now a doubt for Sunday’s clash with arch-rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.
City had already announced that Silva would not be travelling to Ukraine f or tonight’s final Group F game in Kharkiv but it was assumed he was being rested.
The nature of his problem remains unclear with Guardiola refusing to elaborate much when questioned on the issue at his pre-match press conference at the Metalist Stadium.
Guardiola said: “David had a little bit problems in the last minutes. We made a test after the game and I don’t know if he is able to play on Sunday, so that’s why he stayed there, to recover in Manchester.”
Asked for further clarification on the injury, he said: “It’s something, he was uncomfortable. It was too risky to play tonight.”
There is nothing at stake for City in Kharkiv with top place in the group already assured.
As well as replacing Silva, there will be another enforced change with Kevin De Bruyne suspended but Guardiola may consider giving youngsters Phil Foden, Brahim Diaz and Tosin Adarabioyo a chance. All three have travelled with the squad.
But Guardiola insisted he will not be taking the game lightly. Victory would be City’s 21st in succession.
Guardiola said: “We travelled here to win the game, to make a good performance and show respect for the clubs and this competition.”