City injuries throw frozen- out Mangala a lifeline

Partly out of desperation, partly due to having faith in his players’ versatility, Pep Guardiola has shown no fear in experimenting with Man- chester City’ s defence. Right winger Jesus Navas was briefly redeployed at right back, to no great success. Left-back Aleks and arKolarovw as turned into a ball- playing cent re - back. Holding midfield - er Fern and in ho sometimes switched to left- back.

This season, Fabian Delph – a central midfielder – has a new home at left- back.

Manager Guardiol am ay now require more ingenuity to plug defensive gaps having confirmed yesterday that John Stones, a main stay of City’ s defence, could be out until the start of January with a hamstring injury sustained in the 2- 0 win over Leicester on Saturday.

“We will find a solution,” he said. “When the spirit is good and everyone can make a step forward, it will not be a problem.”

The scenario appears to have thrown Eli aquim Man gala a lifeline at City. The centreback, who was signed from Porto in 2014 for a fee that could rise to £ 42 million, has been frozen out by Guardiola and despite being surplus to requirements in the summer, could not find a club. .

“It’ s not so complicated because I’m realistic. That’s me ,” said Man gala, who is now inline to start against Feyenoord. “In football, anything can happen. I am here today. Maybe in the summer or one year ( ago) , we never know what’s going to happen. You have to be focused on what you can control.”