Manchester City captain on hold
Kompany eyes Old Trafford derby return but Pep insists on perfect’ test results
PEP GUARDIOLA has revealed he’s taking no chances with the return to fitness of skipper Vincent Kompany.
The Belgian star had been targeting a return to action in the upcoming Manchester derby, especially with Blues boss Guardiola revealing the thigh muscle which has ruled him out since May is now “clean”.
Kompany underwent a thigh operation at the end of last season after suffering an injury nine minutes into their numbing Champions League semi-final defeat by Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
As a result, the 30-year-old central defender missed Euro 2016 with Belgium but after an intensive summer of rehabilitation work Guardiola believes a return to action is close.
But even if his progress continues during the international break it may be too soon to be included in the City squad to face United at Old Trafford next Saturday in the Battle of Manchester.
The City chief said: “What is important is the doctor told me now his muscle is clean.
Better
“He can train now, he will be part of the group and after that we will decide if he is able to play or not.
“Every day he is much better but still the blood tests are not perfect.
“He had something in his muscle that wasn’t right so until the blood tests are perfect, he is not going to play with us.”
Guardiola says Kompany underwent more blood tests last week while the majority of City’s stars were on duty with their countries.
“He went again for tests but I don’t know for sure when he will be back,” said the Spaniard.
“When the signals decrease to show there is no longer a problem then it will be OK.
“He has trained on some things with us but in terms of being competitive, in terms of the games and contact and duels, he won’t be doing that until he is completely ready.”
Guardiola isn’t keen to rush the Belgian star back into action – especially as City are top of the table having won all three of their Premier League games so far this season.
Instead, he wants to make absolutely sure Kompany’s muscle conditioning is perfect – and there is no repeat of the calf problems that dogged him throughout the previous campaign.
The imposing centre-half suffered five separate injuries last season and played in only 22 of City’s 57 games.
And that means Guardiola won’t take any chances as he tries to make sure Kompany stays free from muscle injuries when he returns.
He said: “We have to try to resolve the continuing problems with Vincent.
“You have to avoid a situation that when he starts he gets injured again.
“OK, you have to accept it if it’s because of a football injury like an impact.
“But not for the reasons that have happened in the last three years.
“He has missed a lot of games. It is important for us to make sure he stays fit because he is good.
“I am surprised by how much he is a fighter, he is working morning and afternoon.
“He is a big professional so in that sense I don’t panic.”
Specialised
Kompany has been spending his days at City’s state- of- the- art £ 200million training complex working with specialised conditioning coaches and a new doctor in a bid to return to full fitness.
And Guardiola believes the whole environment at the training centre is geared up to make City winners.
He has worked at Barcelona and Bayern Munich where sports science and the medical and fitness provisions have always been regarded as among the best.
But the 45-year-old coach has been blown away by the outstanding facilities built by City’s Abu Dhabibased owner Sheikh Mansour.
And he r eckons if City fail this season – it will be down to not being good enough rather than the environment. He said: “I am able to better control the players when they are here.
“But at home, I don’t knock on their doors, wait until they open and say to their beautiful wives, ‘what are you doing?’
“Maybe I will in the future! But I have never seen facilities like this.
“It is a big compliment for the chairman, for the people of Abu Dhabi and of course the people at Manchester City.
“We have everything we need to work. The players cannot complain They have absolutely everything to help them to be ready to play.
“To win or lose is another t hi ng because t he opponent can be better, but here there are no excuses. If we are not ready or fit, it is because we are not good enough.”