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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Simon Bajkowski

Man City early team news for West Ham Premier League clash

Pep Guardiola will be able to call upon Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez for their opening Premier League game with West Ham.

Manchester City were forced to make do without the pair for the Community Shield last weekend; Laporte missed out with a knock while Mahrez was not risked after revealing to medical staff he had taken unknown medication while on international duty.

Both, however, are free for the return to London to the relief of the manager.

Laporte is the first-choice central defender and will be needed more than ever following the failure to replace Vincent Kompany. Mahrez, meanwhile, will have to step up with Leroy Sane set to be out for at least six months of the season.

Guardiola also confirmed that Joao Cancelo will not start his first game for the club this weekend. The £60m right-back, brought in to push Kyle Walker for a place in the starting XI, has made a good early impression but Saturday lunchtime will come too soon.

"Cancelo will not play yet, he only arrived two days ago but he is going to settle good," said the manager.

"Especially when you play for an important team like Juventus in Turin, you are used to the mentality to win, win, win."

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