The French central defender who has been out of action for more than four months with a knee injury, was pictured earlier today alongside the rest of the squad in Friday’s training session.
And the boss gave the latest update on Laporte’s potential comeback at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup third round clash with Port Vale
“He trained with the team for 10, 15 minutes, the rest individually and he is getting better,” Guardiola revealed.
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“He feels good and in the next few weeks he will complete all training sessions for us.”
Quizzed as to when he expected the 25-year-old would be able to play, Guardiola added that would be carefully monitored.
And the boss also praised the work of City’s medical team in overseeing Laporte‘s recovery.
“I don’t know (when he will return). He will dictate. How he feels. He was four months out,” Guardiola added.
“Everything needs a process, but it’s important he didn’t make a step back. (It’s) the same with Leroy and that is really good. Great from the physios and the guys who work with him.”
Guardiola also provided a fitness update on Nicolas Otamendi and Ederson who both missed the New Year’s Day victory over Everton, and confirmed that the central defender would not figure tomorrow.
“Ederson was sick (against Everton). He came to the game bad,” Pep added.
“Today he (Ederson) trained and he feels better.
“Nico feels better too. Tomorrow he won’t play but in the next days he will be in the squad again. “
City will set out on the defence of the FA Cup against a Port Vale side currently lying in 10th place in League Two.
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And Guardiola said he was eagerly looking forward to embracing the challenging of taking on the Potteries outfit.
“They will be more than welcome… it’s nice,” Guardiola added.
“That’s why this country is the best. All the competitions and all the leagues, they support their own clubs.
“This afternoon I will see more games of them. Then we will decide how we play.”
