Man City handed major injury boost

Manchester City could soon have a fully fit squad for the first time this season with Jack Grealish ready to play and Josko Gvardiol nearing a return.

Grealish was back in the City squad at Bournemouth two weeks ahead of schedule following his muscle injury at Copenhagen last week. Kevin De Bruyne came off the bench at the Vitality Stadium days after Pep Guardiola confirmed he was unused against Brentford because of a hamstring niggle.

Guardiola explained before the game that both players were ready to play and confirmed post-match that De Bruyne and Grealish are available to feature against Luton, Manchester United and FC Copenhagen in the upcoming fixtures.

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"Everyone is so important," Guardiola said. "Kevin had a few minutes and Jack is well so in the next games we're going to use them.

Defender Ruben Dias also spoke of the importance of the pair returning, as well as defender Gvardiol who is expected to return in a week or so.

"They're crucial for us, same as Josko [Gvardiol] will be," he said. "He'll be back as well. All available is what we want, it is how we are stronger and obviously in these crucial moments it's the best way."

City are yet to have a fully fit squad for a game this season, coming closest at Brentford earlier this month when Sergio Gomez was the only injured player. As well as the injury absentees, Guardiola also discussed the fitness of John Stones, who is still managing his fitness after persistent injury problems this season.

"He's still not top but Manu [Akanji] and him are back," said the manager. "