Guardiola excludes Mahrez from his wishing list

The winger told of how there’s been what he believes to be inaccurate reporting over the last couple of weeks, whilst adding his commitment to the cause, having returned to training on Friday.

A Nicolas Otamendi error 24 minutes in was punished in ruthless fashion by Jamie Vardy, reminding City there is more to Leicester than just Mahrez, who was eventually introduced in the 62nd minute.

Reports had claimed Mahrez had made himself available for Leicester’s match on Saturday, which ironically is against Manchester City, but at his press conference on Thursday manager Claude Puel said the Algerian would not be involved.

Mahrez is said to be very low after the collapse of his transfer to City and there is a suggestion he has been out of the country.

Or Leicester’s on Riyad Mahrez for that matter (see below).

“Now we have Champions League, and the (Carabao Cup) final, so important games”.

However, the return of John Stones and Phil Foden will ensure that Guardiola has at least a full compliment of substitutes to call on at the Etihad. After that we were not in the right positions to play quicker.

With no game in midweek, Guardiola gave his players three days off earlier in the week.

Pep Guardiola’s side are looking for a 13th straight league win at the Etihad Stadium. If we win, it’s good, and if not then people will ask why did we do it.

They’ve got a mid-week Champions League game coming up and at 1-0 or 2-0 up Pep may just decide that will do.

“I would like to rest Sergio Aguero but he’s the only striker we have”.

Although the offer has been acknowledged by Leicester, neither the club nor Mahrez have reached out to the players’ union for aid.

After recording the superb victory over Leicester, City’s players were all smiles in and around the centre circle as they congratulated each other with hugs and handshakes. The Algerian superstar has still not returned to training and now his side will have to play without him as they take on the side he nearly went to on deadline day.

The Belgium midfielder had said he felt exhausted after last weekend’s draw with Burnley and Pep Guardiola responded by giving his first-team squad three days off. “We can not forget – it was not one century ago, it was two seasons ago – they were champions”.