Pep Guardiola explains decision to play Oleksandr Zinchenko in Man City FA Cup tie

Aleks Zinchenko is finding comfort and escape from the harsh reality of the attack on his Ukrainian homeland by training as normal with his Manchester City teammates.

And the 25-year-old is set to play his first game since the Russian invasion which started last week, and resulted in emotional scenes at Everton on Saturday as he and fellow countryman Vitali Mykolenko, who plays for the Toffees, were reduced to tears by a show of support from their teammates and fans of both clubs. Neither player left the subs' bench in that game but Guardiola has confirmed that Zinchenko will start at Peterborough in the FA Cup fifth-round tie at London Road on Tuesday night.

International teammate Andriy Yarmolenko has been given several days off by his club West Ham to come to terms with the implications of the attack, which began last Thursday. But Guardiola says Zinchenko has sought solace in football, and has no qualms about putting him in his team against the Posh.

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"Human beings have the ability to adapt and overcome difficult situations," said Guardiola. "When he's at home, talking to family and friends and seeing the videos (of the war), of course he cannot be happy.

"But in training with his mates, in the locker room, the ball is so attractive. He can forget for a short time. Then he goes back to his wife and daughter and it must be tough."

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