Fernandinho hands Blues boost ahead of derby tie

CITY have been handed a boost ahead of tomorrow’s huge derby.

David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho all came off during Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley with injuries, making them doubts for the game at the Etihad.

But the Brazilian has confirmed he will be available should Pep Guardiola decide to start him.

He said: “Yes. I believe I can recover very well by Thursday and should be 100 per cent for the game.”

United sit one place behind City in the Premier League and the race for Champions League qualification puts added importance on the game.

Fernandinho added: “It’s a decisive game, they are behind us by one point and they won their game on Sunday.

“We have the same amount of games played, so we are fighting for a place in the Champions League for next season.

“I believe it will be a similar game to this one, (Arsenal in the FA Cup) with high intensity, with both teams trying their best to win the game and I hope we will have more luck this time.”

There are no official updates on Silva and Aguero from the club but it is believed that both players were involved in light training on Monday.

Guardiola will also have to decide whether to risk Gabriel Jesus, who is on his way back from injury after breaking his foot in February.

The City boss said he was deciding whether to play Jesus at Wembley but the Brazilian did not even make the bench.