Vincent Kompany and Aleksandar Kolarov fitness boosts for Man City
Sergio Aguero will be out for another month
Gael Clichy, Fabian Delph, and David Silva will be out another week
Manuel Pellegrini has been given a fitness boost after declaring that Vincent Kompany and Aleksandar Kolarov would be fit to face Sevilla in their home Champions League qualifier at the Etihad tomorrow.
Kolarov sustained a hamstring injury while on international duty with Serbia but took part in training this morning and the Chilean confirmed the left-back’s addition to the match day squad for tomorrow.
Pellegrini also confirmed that captain Vincent Kompany was fully fit after his own recent calf injury.
He said: “Vincent Kompany was fit for the last game but was on the bench,” adding “Aleks is fit and is in the squad list for tomorrow.”
Confirming that striker Sergio Aguero would be out for another month, Pellegrini also added that Gael Clichy, Fabian Delph, and David Silva would not be fit for another week.
“They have different times for return. Sergio will be around one month, and maybe Clichy, Delph and Silva will be ready at the end of next week.”
Pellegrini brushed aside suggestions that Manchester United’s gruelling trip to Moscow would hand City an advantage in the forthcoming Manchester derby which kicks off at 2pm at Old Trafford on Sunday.
“From Wednesday to Sunday you have a lot of days to recover, but we are just thinking about Sevilla and not the derby or the travelling of Manchester United.
“We are trying to win tomorrow three points at home because it’s a key game to help us qualify for the next stage.” said the Chilean.
Tomorrow’s opponents may have qualified for the competition through winning the Europa League but despite a poor start to their La Liga campaign this season (with just nine points after eight games) Pellegrini was cautious.
“They didn’t start well but they beat Barcelona which is not easy.
“I spoke with the players this morning and we are sure that tomorrow we are going to play against the real Sevilla.
“Nobody gave them as a gift the Europa League that they won.
“They have important players with an important manager and I am sure it will be a good game.” said Pellegrini.
Former Sevilla player Jesus Navas, who joined City in 2013 after 11 years with his boyhood club, will face Sevilla for the first time since his departure.
He summarised his thoughts on Twitter: “Preparing a special game against my boyhood club… But only victory is in our minds.”
Preparing a special game against my boyhood club… But only victory is in our minds #CITYvSFC pic.twitter.com/jHAdumPyGz
— Jesús Navas (@JNavas) October 20, 2015