Man City receive Laporte boost as defender resumes training

BetOdds Manchester City FA Cup Port Vale Manchester City v Port Vale Aymeric Laporte

The centre-back's absence has been keenly felt as, short on alternatives in defence, City have let Liverpool race away at the Premier League summit

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Aymeric Laporte has rejoined training with Manchester City, although he stopped short of naming a return date for the injured defender.

Laporte has been out of action since August, when he was taken off on a stretcher during City's 4-0 defeat of Brighton.

Subsequent examinations revealed significant damage to his knee and Laporte was forced to undergo surgery on the joint, ruling him out for the rest of 2019.

In that time Guardiola has been desperately short of options at the back, with City as a result falling far behind runaway leaders Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title.

But Pep had good news to share on Friday as he confirmed his charge had returned with his colleagues.

"Yesterday (Thursday) was the first time he had been training 10-15 minutes with the team and today again," the City boss told reporters when quizzed on the ex-Athletic enforcer.

"The rest [he did] individually and he is getting better. He feels good - I think next week he will complete all the training sessions with us.

Despite that boost, Guardiola is still uncertain over when Laporte will be available for selection.

"His first-team return? You think about it but I think he will dictate with how he feels, he has been out for four months and needs time so it is not like he can immediately play 90 minutes," he added.

"What is important is he has not had any setbacks during his time out - the same with Leroy [Sane] - and that is incredibly good. I’m grateful to the physios."

Uneven so far in the Premier League after their all-conquering 2018-19 campaign, City now turn their attentions to the FA Cup, where Port Vale lie in wait.

The League Two side go into Saturday's game at the Etihad Stadium as rank outsiders, but Pep will not be taking them lightly.

"It’s a knockout game, anything can happen. The schedule has been incredible, to not have to travel and play at home will be a big advantage," he said.

"I’ve said many times we try to take every competition seriously."

2020-01-03 18:00:02

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