John Stones could return to the Manchester City team on Sunday with Pep Guardiola impressed by the defender's fitness. Stones was initially feared to be out for a long time when he suffered a recurrence of his hip issue in the Champions League in early November, yet was back on the bench against Liverpool a few weeks later.
However, Guardiola stressed after that game that while he was available and in training the England international still needed time to build his fitness levels with the club keen to avoid another injury.
Guardiola has resisted playing Stones for any minutes since, meaning he has made just five appearances since the Community Shield.
The plan is to include him as and when he is able to participate, and that could come as soon as Sunday. ALSO READ: Every word from Pep Guardiola ahead of Tottenham ALSO READ: Man City get reminder of pressing transfer priority "He's much better, close to coming back," said Guardiola.