Pep Guardiola says Benjamin Mendy can become unstoppable at Manchester City, but warns he will have to rotate players before the Frenchman returns to fitness.
Aleks Zinchenko has made the left-back position his own during Mendy's lengthy absences over the last two seasons, but has been hit with a setback as he underwent knee surgery this week that will keep him out until December.
That leaves Guardiola with decisions to make at left-back, with Mendy only three starts into his return from his own surgery earlier this year.
It might be too soon for Mendy to start every game, and Guardiola said he plans to deploy Joao Cancelo and Angelino as well as Mendy in the coming weeks.
"We have Angelino, we have Joao who can play there. We have other options," said Guardiola before the visit of Aston Villa.
Expanding on Mendy, Guardiola said he was hopeful the Frenchman's injury nightmare is behind him, but warned against placing too much pressure on him too soon.
"He played 90 minutes at Crystal Palace and on Tuesday too, playing 70-75 minutes incredible against Atalanta and he's not injured," Guardiola continued.
"I think it's coming that he can play regularly. Games, games, games and he will get to his best level. Still he is not on the level that we believe he can do it but that's normal after two seasons out he needs time. Hopefully he can be fit.
"If he's fit he can train every day. It's going to happen. Hopefully he cannot be stopped."
