Pep Guardiola and Manchester City could be back to full fitness as they welcome Newcastle United to the Etihad this weekend. John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Stefan Ortega are back in the fold after illness and injury problems in recent weeks.
Laporte has missed the last two City games with illness but is back in training, while Stones - who has been out for a month with a hamstring injury picked up in the win at Arsenal - is also back in the fold. Guardiola handed backup goalkeeper Ortega an opportunity to impress in City's FA Cup win in midweek at Bristol City.
The German shot-stopper was replaced at half-time but is also back in contention to make the squad to face Newcastle.
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"They are all trained the last few days, they feel much better," Guardiola told the Manchester Evening News when asked about Stones, Laporte and Ortega, leaving a possible full squad to pick from against Newcastle.
Guardiola was also full of praise for the work done by Eddie Howe and his Newcastle side. The Spaniard added: "He's doing an incredible job, happened last season and this season a step forward, they are here to stay.
"I have seen the final vs Manchester United and what they’ve done all season, one of the toughest opponents we have to end of season. The mentality, transitions, threats, one of the best teams. That’s why they are there.
"They have not been here a long time, always you think they need time, done exceptional recruitment, experienced players, exactly what they need. A manager with huge quality, maybe a surprise but not anymore, but I think they’ll stay there."
Predicted Man City XI: Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Ake; Lewis, Rodri; Foden, De Bruyne, Alvarez, Grealish; Haaland.
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