Manchester City will be again without Sergio Aguero and Aymeric Laporte when they face Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow.
But French defender Laporte - who has not played for the Blues since the Carabao Cup quarter-final win at Arsenal before Christmas - could be in line for a return to the side in the FA Cup fourth round tie at Cheltenham on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola said that Aguero, who has been self-isolating after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19, is still not in a position to return to training.
"He is not ready for tomorrow, he is still self isolating," said Guardiola when asked about the club's all-time top goalscorer.
The news on Laporte was more encouraging, as the 26-year-old returned to training yesterday, which means he could be eased back in against the League Two Robins at the weekend.
"He is at the last step," said Guardiola. "He is not ready for tomorrow, but he is training with us. Yesterday was the first one, today was the second."
Adked is he could ply at Cheltenham, Guardiola said: "Hopefully. That would be good news. We need him."
The manager went on to say that he is still not sure of what kind of team to expect from Villa, who have not played since January 1, and when a win would see City top the table for the first time this season.
"We don't know which players will be available, tomorrow we will see the lineup but the quality they have shown this season has been incredible," he said.
"That is our only concern. We know in this league you are able to win five games in a row and lose three games in a row."
