A number of Manchester City players are reportedly concerned that they could lose their places in Pep Guardiola's side after seeing Leroy Sane fall out of favour with the manager.
Sane was one of City's standout performers on their way to a record-breaking title success last season, but the PFA Young Player of the Year has played just 30 minutes in the team's opening four games of the new season.
The Germany international - who also controversially missed out on a place at the World Cup this summer - was left out of the squad entirely for City's 2-1 victory over Newcastle United on Saturday.
The Evening Standard reports that Sane's omission has caused other players to fear for their places in the team should they allow their standards to drop.
Sane was also limited to a bit-part role towards the start of last season, though, and Guardiola is hopeful that the winger will react in a similar way this time around.
The Spaniard is still understood to regard Sane as one of the brightest young players in world football and believes that being dropped will only motivate him to improve in the future.
The 22-year-old scored 14 goals in 49 appearances for City last season.
Barney Corkhill
