Man City stars back in training ahead of Premier League return

Manchester City players will train on Wednesday afternoon as they start preparations for their Premier League game against Brighton.

Pep Guardiola's side are at home on Saturday for the first time in nearly a month, following four away matches followed by a pause for the international break. Most of their players have been dotted around the world representing their countries for the last fortnight.

With those games having now finished, the City squad are making it back to Manchester in time to get their heads back into club football and the next batch of domestic football that will feature two Champions League games and Premier League aways at United and Chelsea. All players on international duty appeared to make it through their matches unscathed - including John Stones starting his first game since the Community Shield - although there will be checks at the City Football Academy to check on their condition.

ALSO READ: Man City ace Kalvin Phillips sends message to Guardiola after England beat Italy

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola knows Brighton truth for City amid referee scrutiny

Guardiola will also have to weigh up how tired Julian Alvarez will be after his exertions in South America; the City boss was not expecting the Argentine to be fit for their first match after the September international break after Alvarez had played in Bolivia in midweek, but the 23-year-old surprised the staff with his fitness and willingness to start at West Ham. Alvarez started in Peru in the early hours of Wednesday and will join up with the rest of the City squad after travelling back, as Ederson will after his games for Brazil.

City take on Brighton on Saturday before heading to Switzerland for a Champions League game against Young