Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have been given two new health updates on first-team players this week, ahead of two vital matches.
Despite the early stage of the season, the European and Premier League champions have two matches in both competitions this week that will be crucial in their attempts to defend both crowns.
Manchester City travel to Germany on Tuesday afternoon ahead of matchday two of the UEFA Champions League group stage against RB Leipzig on Wednesday night, hoping to go three points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Following the encounter in East Germany, City will return to England to finalize preparations for a showdown at the Emirates Stadium against last season’s Premier League championship contenders Arsenal.
Manchester City, and notably Pep Guardiola, has got a big boost to his first-team options on the eve of both matches, with the recovery of two vital stars following various injury difficulties.
Manchester City have been heartened by the timely returns of both Bernardo Silva and John Stones to first-team training on Tuesday morning, according to Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News.
Stones has not played for Manchester City since the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal in early August, after suffering a hamstring injury in the aftermath of the UEFA Super Cup victory against Sevilla in Athens.
With Rodri completing his three-game ban against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, some believe Pep Guardiola may opt to use Stones as the lone defensive midfielder, though no decision has been made.
Bernardo Silva’s most recent appearance was on matchday one of the Champions League group stage, when he was replaced before halftime against Red Star Belgrade due to an injury concern.
Pep Guardiola is expected to deliver a more detailed update on the pair during his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday night’s Champions League showdown with RB Leipzig.
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