Worry for Pep: Man City could be without ‘sensational’ star after pre-West Ham injury update

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been dealt a fitness worry ahead of his team’s crucial clash with West Ham United today in the Premier League title race.

The Sky Blues could take one gigantic leap towards retaining their top-flight crown and besting rivals Liverpool by beating David Moyes’ side at the London Stadium this afternoon.

City currently sit three points clear at the top of the table with a superior goal difference of seven compared to the Reds, and victory over the Hammers today would cement their place as overwhelming favourites to win the title heading into their last match of 2021/22.

After brushing aside both Newcastle United and Wolves in the last seven days, scoring 10 goals in total over the two matches, arguably their toughest remaining test looms at 2pm in east London .

Guardiola has been forced to cope without star defenders Ruben Dias, John Stones and Kyle Walker recently as the trio are ruled out for the rest of their title run-in.

To make matters more complicated, in their last match at Molineux, other crucial members of the squad in Aymeric Laporte, who was forced off due to a knee problem, and Fernandinho (muscle) came away with injury issues.

Speaking to the press before his team’s trip to the capital, Guardiola has now confirmed that City could be without Laporte alongside their Brazilian veteran, with both doubtful to facve West Ham (Evening Standard).

A worry for City, the English champions could be without a plethora of first-team defensive options, but their manager refused to completely rule out their availability, claiming that they will be subject to checks today.

Being without Laporte in particular comes as a potentially major blow given just how crucial and reliable he has