GUARDIOLA: FODEN AND MAHREZ JUST TOO GOOD TO LET RAHEEM IN

three of City’s last 10 games – and with talks about a new contract to resume in the summer, the 26-year-old is fighting to prove that he deserves an extension.

Sterling has scored just 13 goals for City this season and hasn’t found the net at club level since February 21.

He has just over two years left on his current deal. And Guardiola said: “Raheem is an extraordinary player. Always was, always is, always will be.

“But the reason he is not playing games as regularly as he was in previous seasons is that Riyad and Phil are in top, top form.

“They are scoring goals and playing really well – and that is the only reason he has not in the team. But the opportunities are going to come. And he has to be ready to show his quality and show his incredible strengths.

“The only way I can phrase it is ‘let him play’ – and then it depends on him.

“It is not about confidence. They all have our confidence. The quality with Raheem is there. It is not a case where we have a conversation because he has no confidence and after talking with me he is confident.

“They are all top-class players and they have to take confidence from inside themselves. It is the way to show how good they are. It is the only secret.”

Sterling failed to make an impression when he started in last weekend’s FA Cup semibeen final defeat to Chelsea. And he was left on the bench when City beat Aston Villa in midweek.

With a Champions League semi-final trip to Paris on Wednesday night, Guardiola has some big selection decisions to make today as his team attempt to lift the Carabao Cup for a fourth successive season.