Manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed the Belgian duo, Kevin De Bruyne and Vincent Kompany, have been training with the team ahead of the clash with Everton at the Etihad stadium.
Pep will be delighted to have the playmaker back after the poor team display at White Hart Lane in the previous match, where the hosts completely outclassed the visiting team. City have lost all six Premier League games this year in which De Bruyne was absent showing how influential the former Chelsea player has become for the Manchester based club since his £54 million signing from German outfit Wolfsburg.
De Bruyne sustained a hamstring injury after City’s 3-1 win over Swansea at the Liberty Stadium while captain Kompany suffered a groin strain on his long awaited return against the same opposition but in the EFL Cup tie.
The club sent both the players to recuperate at Doctor Ramon Cugat’s clinic in Barcelona, who according to Pep is the best sports doctor in the world. No wonder they made a swift recovery from their respective injuries, though it’s still uncertain whether they are fit enough to start the game.
There’s also a return for Spanish forward Nolito, who picked a straight red after a clash with Bournemouth’s Adam Smith. The former Celta Vigo man, who has started his City career brightly scoring four times and setting up a teammate twice in eight appearances this season, served his three match ban and is expected to go straight back in the lineup.
Raheem Sterling, another player who has seen a huge upturn in form under Pep, is also fit after being withdrawn as a precaution from the English national team
In terms of injuries, Bacary Sagna has been ruled out for at least 3 weeks having picked up a thigh injury while on international duty for France, so Argentine Pablo Zabaleta will remain at the right-back position. Fabian Delph continues his mysterious absence from the team having been on the sidelines ever since September because of an muscle injury. The manager confirmed there were no other casualties.
The playing XI more or less picks itself, with Aguero, who had an injury scare during the international break, leading the front-line while Sterling and Nolito providing width. Only selections to be seen are whether De Bruyne and Kompany start or feature from the bench.
