Injury boost as trio join first team training - inside Man City preparations for Inter

Manchester City trained in the sunshine as they prepare for the start of their Champions League campaign.

In temperatures warm enough for the players to reminisce about Istanbul, where they beat Inter in the 2023 final, Pep Guardiola oversaw the final preparations ahead of Wednesday's match when they will look to make a winning start to the new competition. Before then, the City manager and Rodri had spoken to the media about a range of topics with player welfare again a major talking point.

Here is a look at how the day went as the Blues get ready for one of their most important Champions League games of the new campaign.

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There was a bit of chatter around Savinho on Saturday after the player appeared to be in discomfort towards the end of the Brentford game and was substituted. Guardiola suggested after the game that it was just cramp, and the sight of the Brazilian in training should have eased all fears ahead of Wednesday's game.

When news came that Rodri would be speaking to the media, the Ballon d’Or became an obvious theme. Less obvious was its first mention being in relation to Lautaro Martinez as an Italian journalist asked Guardiola if he thought the Inter striker should win it. After a respectful chuckle, the City boss said he would rather one of his own players did so.

As Manchester baked in unseasonably hot conditions, that didn’t stop sporting director Txiki Begiristain from heading out to cast his eye over proceedings. City’s executive usually likes to watch training whenever he can and was in position again. There he watched youngsters Jacob