CITY V LEICESTER CITY Stones set to face Foxes after injury
JOHN Stones has been declared fit for today’s clash with Leicester – but David Silva has been ruled out of the tea-time kick off.
England international Stones has missed the Premier League leaders’ last three games due to illness and a knee injury.
But he has recovered sufficiently to be included in the squad for the visit of Claude Puel’s side.
Silva suffered a knock to his side against West Brom last week, which saw him substituted in the first half and miss the 1-1 draw against Burnley last weekend.
And Pep Guardiola has confirmed the Spaniard is still to recover, which should see Ilkay Gundogan start in his place alongside Kevin de Bruyne.
As well as Stones, City’s manager has been boosted by the return to fitness of youngster Phil Foden following the ankle ligament damage he suffered before Christmas.
City are still without Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus, Fabian Delph and Benjamin Mendy, but Guardiola confirmed he would name his full quota of substitutes after being criticised for his decision to pick just six against Burnley.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was among his fiercest critics, describing the move as a ‘joke,’ which prompted the Catalan to say: “We’ll have 18 and a full bench tomorrow. Gary Neville can be happy.” CITY will consider a fresh move for Riyad Mahrez in the summer.
Pep Guardiola remains a huge admirer of the Algerian – even if the Premier League leaders refused to meet Leicester’s £95m valuation of their star man last month.
Guardiola has been promised the funds to sign a marquee forward at the end of the season after missing out on his No1 target Alexis Sanchez in January.
City moved for Mahrez after Leroy Sane suffered ankle ligament damage – but were unwilling to go above £60m.
Any move in the summer will be dependent on Leicester lowering their price tag – but City would expect to be in a stronger negotiating position without the pressure of the January window and the need to sign a player eligible for the Champions League.
City ultimately pulled out of the running for Sanchez, due to the overall financial package required to sign a player Guardiola had tracked for more than a year and was convinced would head to the Etihad.
While he insists he was in agreement with the club’s decision, he made it clear he still required an addition to his forward line.
City’s board assured him he would be backed in bid for a major acquisition in the summer.
The move for Mahrez came sooner than expected – due to injuries to Sane and Gabriel Jesus – and Guardiola will now have time to consider other options before the end of the season.
Juventus’ Paulo Dybala has been heavily-linked, while the City manager already identified Antoine Griezmann as a potential target in his time at the club.
But he has not ruled out his interest in Mahrez – and reiterated his admiration for the 26-year-old ahead of a potential meeting with him when Leicester head to the Etihad today.
“I want him to come back soon and play,” he said. “We enjoy watching him and hopefully he’ll come back soon with Leicester and play at his level.
“I love to play with the best sides and the best players. That’s why I wish he can come back as soon as possible and play. He’s an extraordinary player and of course I and everyone enjoys watching the better players.”
Mahrez returned to training yesterday following a 10-day absence, insisting the club were always aware of his whereabouts.
Guardiola insists City can take no blame in the subsequent fallout, following his failed move but also refused to criticise the player.
“Leicester came to pick up Kelechi Iheanacho and we did it,” he said. “In all transfers, the clubs call the clubs, it’s simple like that.
“After that we are not involved in absolutely anything. It’s a decision for the player and the club, not Manchester City.
“I’m not there (at Leicester). Sometimes if that happens with one player I will speak with him, but I’m not there.
“I don’t want to make one comment because I don’t know the reality for the player or the club.”