Pep Guardiola confirms Leroy Sane misses Basel game through injury
Friday 9 February 2018 14:47, UK
Pep Guardiola says Manchester City’s injury crisis is improving but confirmed Leroy Sane is likely to miss the first leg of their Champions League tie with Basel.
Sane suffered ankle ligament damage following a challenge from Cardiff's Joe Bennett in Man City's 2-0 win over Cardiff in the FA Cup in January.
Guardiola revealed Sane has returned to light training but does not expect to have him available for the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie in Switzerland on Tuesday.
"He is much better but I don't think he will be back for the Champions League. He's just running in training," Guardiola said ahead of Saturday's home game with Leicester, live on Sky Sports Premier League.
City's players and their backroom staff have enjoyed a few days off and although he said Gabriel Jesus and David Silva remain out, John Stones is available to face Leicester.
"We had a lot of games since August and just one midweek off, we needed [a rest]," he added.
"We made three good training sessions and then we come back. We love to play football but when you play every three days, sometimes a break is good for everybody because you come back strong.
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"We have tomorrow [Saturday], three days later Champions League, then five days, and then five days for the League Cup final.
"We will see day by day how the players feel. Some players are not fit. Others will come back.
"I would like to rest Sergio Aguero but he's the only striker we have. He is making a huge effort and doing really well.
"But Gabriel Jesus is coming back soon - maybe 10 days, two weeks."
Riyad Mahrez returned to training with Leicester on Friday having missed their sessions since his proposed Deadline Day move to the Etihad fell through and Guardiola admits he would love to see him back playing.
"I wish for him to come back soon and play football because we enjoy watching him play," he said.
As for the threat posed by Leicester, the Spaniard was keen to remind people it is only two years since their opponents won the Premier League.
"We cannot forget that it was not a century ago but just two years ago, they were champions," added Guardiola.
"Apart from one or two players, they are mainly the same. They are still dangerous."
Watch Manchester City v Leicester on Saturday Night Football. Coverage begins on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League at 5.15pm.
