With several first team stars side-lined or struggling with niggling issues, the boss has revealed where his absent/recovering players are currently at.
Starting with Kevin De Bruyne’s injury-plagued campaign, Pep said: “It happened. The first injury was knees. When you are long term absent due to knee problems it sometimes influences hamstring.
“He doesn’t feel quite well right now, not 100%. Doctors and Kevin tell me after international break he will be ready.
READ: City face Spurs in Champions League
“I think before the Bournemouth injury, he was reaching a high level.
“Kevin knows he needs games, but he always creates something for the team. Important is he will be back.”
The boss also gave updates on John Stones and Benjamin Mendy.
He said: “John is not ready. Not ready to play, he is injured.
“The doctors say he is getting better.
“He was not good for Schalke and after a test today he did not feel good.
“He did not train the last two days. It is not a big blow and after two weeks he will be ready to train.
“Mendy will hopefully be fit after the international break, too.”
Pep already indicated Fernandinho would not be available until after the international break.
With many of his players going away on international duty next week, Pep admitted he is relaxed about the exodus, but hopes his players all void injury while with their national teams.
“We try to support national team players,” he said.
“Players know themselves. They are doing this amount of regeneration they know what they need to keep going.
“If they not comfortable then they know and speak to doctors and physios.
“Of course, we want them to come back as quick as possible and get them into a routine.”
