Pep Guardiola admits he has one eye on Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Newcastle ahead of Manchester City’s trip to Chelsea.
The Catalan is already without Sergio Aguero, who will undergo knee surgery in Barcelona on Thursday.
And he is determined not to overstretch his squad as City try to navigate a congested end to the season, which will also include the Champions League.
City are all but certain of a top-four finish, while their Premier League title is on its way to Liverpool. So the FA Cup and Europe are likely to be their priorities in the coming weeks.
John Stones is back in full training after missing the first two games of Project Restart, but Guardiola is taking a cautious approach with his players’ fitness.
“I cannot deny we have one eye on Newcastle,” he said. “Chelsea is a prestigious game, but Newcastle is a final for us.
“The team selection will depend on physical condition. We will take a look at what will come next, not just the game against Chelsea.
“We have some kicks after the game [against Burnley], which is normal. You have to see day by day how we can avoid injuries.
"We have to handle the situation, qualify mathematically for the Champions League and that is what we have to do.”
Predicted Man City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, Mendy; De Bruyne, Rodri, Foden; Bernardo, Gabriel Jesus, Sterling
