Gundogan’s set for scan on knee
ILAKY Gundogan is set to undergo scans after damaging his knee again against West Brom.
Pep Guardiola feared the worst when midfielder went down under a tackle from behind from Claudio Yacob in City’s 2-1 win at the Hawthorns.
The German international pounded his hand on the turf as he writhed in agony.
In his first start since rupturing knee ligaments last December, the 26-year-old lasted just 57 minutes before suffering a fresh injury.
While the initial prognosis from City’s medical staff is that the problem is not too serious, they will wait for the results of scans today.
Guardiola said: “I suffer for Gundogan when he was on the ground. At that moment, you think of the wrong situations.
“You cannot imagine what it is like to be out for eight months, fighting every day alone with the physio and come back and to be injured, in that moment it’s so tough to accept. It’s football and, fortunately, it’s not serious. “I spoke with him. It’s okay. “He had a little bit pain in his knee. The doctor might clarify what he has.”
City secured their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup thanks to two goals from Leroy Sane. Yacob had equalised for West Brom - but a wonderful solo strike from Sane was decisive.
Guardiola admitted City nearly paid for not making their dominance pay off in the first half.
Guardiola added: “We played the first half at the same level as the last games. We created a lot of chances, knowing how complicated it is against a Tony Pulis team.
“I cannot say we deserve it because if you don’t get it, it is your fault. But we created enough chances to be two or three-nil up.
“But to play the second half just 1-0 up and you concede corners and free-kicks and throw-ins against that team, you are going to suffer.
“So in the second half everything could happen.”
TOURE’S BACK - BUT FOR HOW LONG? A WEEK after Guardiola revealed Yaya Toure had been frozen out of the firstteam for ‘sporting’ reasons, he was back and with the captain’s armband. Time will tell how long his recall lasts. The Ivorian has a fascinating dynamic with Guardiola.
City’s manager has no problem making his issues with Toure public - as we saw last season. Yet that ‘tough love’ has had something of an impact.
Toure got himself into fantastic shape last season and was outstanding following his comeback in November.
If Guardiola’s latest barb can provoke a similar reaction, City will be the winners.
WHEN WILL THE KIDS BE ALL RIGHT? SCANNING up and down Guardiola’s starting line up there were a few notable absentees. Namely the academy prospects chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak insists will be given a chance in the first-team.
Phil Foden and Brahim Diaz were outstanding on tour - and the League Cup is surely their best chance to be blooded in the seniors. Then there is Tosin Adarabioyo. All were named on the bench - and the question remains, when will they get their chance?
DELPH RIGHT TO STAY FABIAN Delph surprised a number of suitors - and probably City - when opting to stay and fight for his place.
He passed up the opportunity of becoming a key player at Stoke to a benchwarmer or less at City. But he was convinced he could force his way into Guardiola’s plans - and playing at left-back at The Hawthorns, he might just be right. This was his second appearance in the space of a week and given his versatility he could prove an unexpected bonus for Guardiola.