Guardiola on De Bruyne, being in title contention and Eriksson’s ‘courage’

Erling Haaland and John Stones remain out of action with their respective injuries, while Jack Grealish is a doubt having struggled with illness this week.

Meanwhile, Guardiola said Kevin de Bruyne is fit to start at Newcastle if selected as he continues his return from a long-term hamstring injury.

Guardiola said he “feels really good” about De Bruyne’s current condition, adding: “He’s getting better, we have a game and then a few days off, he will train a little bit. After, we will go altogether for four or five training sessions in Abu Dhabi and that will help him to be better for the next games.”

The City boss said “you cannot imagine” how pleased he is to be in Premier League title contention after winning the Treble last season and being involved in more competitions, such as the Fifa Club World Cup, this season.

Guardiola sent his best wishes to one of his predecessors as City manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson, who said on Thursday that he has been diagnosed with cancer. “It’s sad news, he is a true gentleman. I admire the courage to explain the situation.”