Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that some first-team players are doubtful for Sunday's Premier League trip to Brentford, but no-one is 'definitely out'.
The Premier League champions had to cope without five players for the 1-1 draw played out away against Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday night.
Nathan Ake has missed the last five matches in all competitions, including the midweek trip to the Amex Stadium, since sustaining a hamstring injury against Leeds United earlier this month.
Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji and Aymeric Laporte also missed the draw with Brighton, with Guardiola citing before kickoff that the quartet were "not fit" due to injury.
Meanwhile, Phil Foden and John Stones were withdrawn in the second half against the Seagulls due to respective leg and muscle issues, although Guardiola insisted after the match that the English duo "feel comfortable" and came off as a precaution.
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Guardiola is keen to have any many players available as possible in preparation for two huge finals next month against Manchester United and Inter Milan in the FA Cup and Champions League respectively.
The Citizens have one final Premier League match at the Brentford Community Stadium on Sunday before they begin preparations for their Wembley Stadium showdown with the Red Devils six days later.
Providing an update on the fitness of his squad at a press conference on Friday, Guardiola said: "It's getting better. Some of them. We'll see tomorrow, we're training tomorrow afternoon and decide how they feel. We need to keep our rhythm before the finals."
Asked if any City players are definitely ruled out, the Catalan boss added: "No. Today no, but some [players are] half-and-half."
Since clinching their third successive Premier League title last Saturday, Guardiola has made widespread changes to his starting lineup in matches against Chelsea and Brighton, making nine changes against the former on Sunday and six in midweek against the latter.
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However, Guardiola has insisted that he will look to select his strongest possible side against Brentford – who beat Man City 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season – if he has a fully-fit squad at his disposal.
"First it's Brentford, they've only lost once at home. Incredible season," said the 52-year-old. "They are so difficult to play against.
"I will play the game as strong as possible, see how they feel in terms of condition. We don't want to take a risk. If the players are available, we will pick them to win the game.
"After [Sunday] we have time to disconnect. To not see each other two days and have to prepare for United first and then Inter."
Man City head into their clash with Brentford having put together an impressive 25-game unbeaten run across all competitions and they have not lost any of their last 12 away matches since a 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in February.
Oliver Thomas
