Man City get double injury boost as Pep Guardiola gives updates on trio

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.

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"He's much better, close to coming back," said Guardiola. Asked if he would be in contention to start, he added: "He'll be with us, he'll be there."

City have also welcomed Mateo Kovacic back into training after he picked up an issue in the Chelsea game before the November international break. That leaves Matheus Nunes and Kevin De Bruyne as the only sidelined players, with Nunes not far off a return and De Bruyne set to come back in January.

Guardiola has been unable to name a full bench since the 6-1 win over Bournemouth on November 4 but will hope to put that behind him as more players recover from injury.