The Spanish international central defender had surgery on a knee problem at the end of last season and didn’t accompany the squad on our pre-season tour to the United States earlier this month.
And addressing the media at his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s traditional curtain raiser against the FA Cup winners, the boss revealed that though making good progress with his recovery and rehabilitation, Laporte was set to be sidelined for the next month or so.
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“Laporte is injured. He had surgery after last season,” the boss continued.
“He played the last three games with an injury, an incredible effort but he could not continue to do that.
“He has done incredibly well but we need to be careful because it is the knee.
“I think he will be out in August and maybe in September he will start to be with us. We will see.”
Ahead of the new campaign, it has been a busy summer for the Premier League champions in the transfer market.
Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips, Julian Alvarez and Steffen Ortega Moreno have all come in while Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Olek Zinchenko have all departed.
But asked if he expected to conduct any more transfer business between now and the end of the season with City linked with strengthening at left-back, the boss said all options were open.
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“If it is possible, yeah. If not, we have enough players,” Guardiola added.
“Joao (Cancelo) can play there. Josh (Wilson-Esbrand) can play there. Nathan (Ake) can play there. I never complain about the squad I have since the first season.
“What the club can do benefits me. I support the club as best I can.”
With a first piece of silverware up for grabs, the boss was also asked about the boost for the new recruits of potentially securing a trophy so early into their City careers if we can overcome Liverpool at the King Power Stadium.
“Yeah, for us a title to win it is better, better than losing. It is good for City. not just for the players. For all of us,” Guardiola added.
