Aymeric Laporte call for Man City vs Leicester will be telling

It is approaching two months since Aymeric Laporte last started for Manchester City in the Premier League or Champions League, a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest that was the last time they dropped points in the league. Since then, the Spanish defender has missed two games with illness but has been left on the bench for the rest, his only start in the last ten in all competitions coming in the FA Cup against Championship side Burnley.

Laporte, not known for taking his omissions well, posted a message to social media this week that got less cryptic as it went along: "After the rain, a rainbow; after a storm, the calm; and after an end, a new beginning.” Given he is so out of favour, a summer move looks likely.

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There is plenty of football to be played before then as Pep Guardiola's side go for glory in three competitions, yet it is unclear how much of it Laporte will be involved in. At the minute, the current back four would expect to keep their place for upcoming matches with Bayern Munich and Arsenal.

That leaves Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley as an opportunity for Laporte, but Leicester at home is a presentable opportunity for the player to show what he can still contribute. If he isn't picked for it, the end may just get a little nearer.

They are all big games at this stage of the season but some are undeniably bigger than others. That's why Guardiola took so much satisfaction from beating Southampton the week after Liverpool, knowing that his players would turn up whatever the occasion.

Everyone left the Etihad on a high on Wednesday but there needs to be a reset for Saturday with more energy brought against a