Manchester City travel to the London Stadium to face West Ham United on Sunday afternoon, but Pep Guardiola revealed they could be without Aymeric Laporte as he’s recovering slowly from injury.
He said in Friday’s pre-match press conference: “(He is) in treatment. It’s two days. I think until the day of the game we will not be able to decide exactly the availability of the players.”
The 27-year-old suffered a knee injury in Wednesday’s 5-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers and was replaced by Nathan Ake after the hour mark.
Ake might have to start at centre-back if Laporte fails a late fitness test, but Guardiola said his players must be prepared for any eventuality. He added: “I have said many times we have to handle it. For one or two games the players will do their best, even not playing their position.
“Sometimes when you play in another position the concentration is higher. Like we saw against Wolves they can do it.” Ake has made 27 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring three goals.
The Netherlands international doesn’t start when Laporte, Ruben Dias and John Stones are available, but he has put in good performances when called upon.
Ake has been left out of the matchday squad in only two Premier League games this campaign, so he’s an important player to Guardiola. He’s featured in five of City’s last seven league games too, so he should be fine to start against West Ham without any fears of rustiness.
In other news, journalists say ‘classy’ Man City man was ‘devastating’ v Wolves