Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Kyle Walker is in contention to feature in the side's crucial Champions League second-leg quarter-final tie against Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
The stakes are high, and everything is still to play for after the sides traded blows, ending in a thrilling 3-3 draw in Madrid just a week ago.
Walker has been absent from City's lineup for the past five games due to an injury sustained in England's defeat to Brazil last month. However, he made a return to the bench in the side's 5-1 victory over Luton on Saturday.
Nathan Ake has also been sidelined since picking up a calf injury against Arsenal last month but joined Walker as a substitute against the Hatters at the Etihad Stadium last weekend.
© Reuters
Guardiola confirms Walker in contention for Real Madrid clash
Addressing reporters ahead of the blockbuster showdown against Los Blancos, the City boss stated: "I am going to wait and see the training and in the last one or two training sessions see how he looks.
"But he looks good, his face, his mood. I don't know from the bench, from the beginning [of the match] if he will be with us tomorrow. But that's incredibly good news. We have the final training at 4 and then we will decide."
Walker has been determined to make himself available to play some part in the clash with Madrid, given his pivotal role in neutralising Vinicius Junior last season, particularly in the 4-0 victory at the Etihad.
The defending European Champions will also welcome back defensive midfielder Rodri for the midweek encounter, having rested him for the Premier League fixture against Luton.
© Reuters
It is understood that the 27-year-old Spaniard had requested that Guardiola give him a rest after the high-octane first leg as he was feeling exhausted.
If City manage to overcome Los Merengues, they will face either Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final.
Additionally, they have a last-four encounter in the FA Cup against Chelsea scheduled for this weekend, and a victory against Mauricio Pochettino's side would secure a return to Wembley in May, where they would face either Manchester United or Coventry City.
The return of Walker, Ake and Rodri will also give the side a massive boost as they head into the final stretch of the Premier League season.
With six games left to go, the Sky Blues currently hold a slender two-point lead over Arsenal and Liverpool at the summit of the league standings.
Devesh Jaganath
