The City boss provided a positive report on Mateo Kovacic, who had to come off early in the second half of last Saturday’s 4-1 win against Ipswich.
The boss also delivered encouraging news on Rodrigo who has made a full return to training following an extended break in the wake of this summer’s EURO 2024 Championships where he helped Spain to glory.
All told, the holding midfielder clocked up 63 appearances for City and Spain across a superb 2023/24 and proved a key component in the Club’s historic fourth successive Premier League title success.
However, Pep also revealed that Phil Foden was still not feeling 100 per cent but that otherwise there was full bill of health regarding the rest of the squad.
“Rodri is much better. (Mateo) Kovacic as well. Phil (Foden) still doesn’t feel good. The rest are OK,” Guardiola reported at his pre-match press conference.
City travel to the London Stadium for what will be our last match before the September international break kicks in.
Having garnered a maximum six-point haul from our first two games to sit top of the table, the reigning champions will step out to face the Hammers full of confidence.
With a new manager at the helm in the experienced Julen Lopetegui, the hosts lost their first game of the season at home to Aston Villa but recovered last weekend to record an impressive 2-0 win away at Crystal Palace.
And City boss Guardiola is expecting another stern examination tomorrow evening with Lopetegui now in situ.
“New managers at new places always needs time - he is experienced,” Guardiola added.
“At Real Madrid, the national team at Spain, Sevilla is so demanding.
“He has lots of experience and is an unbelievable person. West Ham already had a really good squad and this summer they brought in new top players.
“Especially upfront they have incredible weapons - they are a really strong team.”
WEST HAM V CITY
City are on the road again with a visit to the London Stadium for our final game ahead of the September international break.
You can keep across the West Ham clash via our Matchday Centre which provides blow-by-blow updates, analysis and reaction before, during and after the clash.
Starting around 75 minutes before kick-off, Natalie Pike will host Matchday Live alongside special guests Sam Allardyce and David James, meanwhile FG will be joined by both Paul Dickov and Michael Brown to provide insight from the London Stadium.
Those with push notifications turned on in the app will be alerted to key moments throughout the game as they happen.
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Alistair Mann and Brown will be on hand throughout the afternoon to guide fans through proceedings with live audio commentary while our text commentary continues.
A detailed match report, as well as reaction from Pep Guardiola and players alike, can also be accessed soon after the final whistle.
Short highlights will then be published at 21:15 (UK) before extended and a CITY+ full-match replay can be accessed at midnight.
