Jesus could return, Sterling doubtful
MANCHESTER CHESTER CITY striker Gabriel Jesus could make a shock return for Sunday’s League Cup final against st Arsenal but Pep Guardiola has doubts over Raheem em Sterling’s fitness for the Wembley showpiece.
Brazil zil international Jesus has not featured for the Premier er League leaders since he suffered a knee ligament ent injury against Crystal Palace on December 31.
However, wever, he has returned to training and Guardiola, chasing ng his first silverware for the club, revealed the 20-year-old ar-old is in contention to face the Gunners at Wembley. bley.
“We’ll e’ll see today. It is the third training session for Gabriel el and every day is better,” said the City boss, who saw his side’s quadruple dreams ended by an FA Cup fifth-round defeat at the hands of League e One Wigan earlier this week.
“He’s e’s so important. When people say about out four titles, you have to be everything going well, when your full-back ack is injured d six mont ths hs, , it’s more ore difficult, cult, without hout Gabriel el it’s so difficult.
“Sergio rgio Aguero has been incredible, dible, but sometimes you need to be fresh. At Wigan we could have played two up front in the last minutes if Gabriel had been on the bench – now we have that chance with Gabriel.” England forward St Sterling, e r l i n g , who is struggling with a muscle inju injury, will be assessed ahead of the match.
Guardiola also confirmed confirme that he will stick with Claudio Bravo in goal for the t final, having used the Chilean in the competition competitio ahead of first-choice goalkeeper Ederson.
“The fans have an opinio opinion but I’m the manager,” Guardiola said. “You put al all the fans in front of me and everyone has their opi opinion but we are here for the club.
“Against Wolves he had t three one-on-ones, saved three penalties, he deserves to play in the final and he’s going to play.
“The locker room is important im in the final and without him we would not be b here. He’s going to play.”
Guardiola dismissed sugg suggestions that victory over Arsenal could usher in an e era of dominance for City similar to the period he enjoyed enjo at Barcelona.
“Not even in Barcelona w when we won the first title in the cup did I expect to w win 14 titles in four years,” said Guardiola. “I’m more pragmatic. p
“I think in football it’s a big b mistake to think what might happen in the next thr three years. It’s a big mistake for our heads, our targets, it makes no sense.
“When people asked in the beginning, about winning four titles (this seas season), I said of course we’ll try, but the big teams have not n been able to do that – the big Liverpools, the big Uniteds, the big Arsenals, the big Chelseas.
“So why should I th think we can do it? We have a final and we try to do what we have done.
“Then after, in the Premier League, we have six games to b be champions in the most prestigious tournament tourn in this country. Then we’ll see nex next year. Then at the end of our time together we will see what we have done.” — SuperSpo SuperSport