Pep Guardiola says he is happy to be working with a small squad as he prepares his Manchester City side to face West Ham United on Sunday.
The Premier League champions make the trip to the London Stadium to face David Moyes' Hammers on Sunday as the new season gets underway, with West Ham looking to cause an upset on the opening weekend against Guardiola's side, who are set to be without defender Aymeric Laporte for the game in east London.
The Spaniard is currently sidelined after having surgery in the summer on a knee injury, with Guardiola not expecting him to be available until September as he continues his recovery, after not taking any part in City's pre-season preparations as he works his way back to fitness.
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Speaking recently, Guardiola said: "[Aymeric] Laporte is injured. He had surgery after the last few games [of last season] when he made an incredible effort. "He's looking really well, but we have to be careful because it was a knee. He needs time. I think he will be out for August and then maybe he will start to be with us in September.
But Guardiola insists he is happy with the squad at his disposal as he prepares City to face the Hammers, following four summer arrivals to date in Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Kalvin Phillips and Stefan Ortega.
City have seen several players depart this summer, including Raheem Sterling to Chelsea, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal and Fernandinho, who has returned to Brazil after his contract expired. Younger players like Gavin Bazunu and Romeo Lavia have also departed, with both joining Southampton, while goalkeeper Zack Steffen has joined Championship side Middlesbrough on loan. However, Guardiola is content with the options he has available as City embark on the defence of the Premier League title.
Speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference, he said: "I like to work with not many players and have everyone involved.
"It is what it is. We have shown in the last years we have a small squad and we are there in the last stages. We have a transfer window in winter where we can take something we cannot do now."
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