Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Nathan Ake has recovered from injury and is fit to return to action.
City will begin their Premier League title defence on Friday when they travel to Turf Moor to take on Burnley.
It appears that Guardiola will have a fully-fit squad at his disposal, including Ake.
Ake ready to play
The Dutch centre-back hobbled out of City’s 2-1 pre-season win against Bayern Munich a couple of weeks ago, holding the bottom of his leg as he was replaced by Manuel Akanji.
Ake subsequently sat out the pre-season defeat to Atletico Madrid and the Community Shield loss to Arsenal on Sunday, but he is not available for selection.
Speaking to the media on Thursday ahead of the Burnley match, Guardiola said of Ake: “He’s training good. He’s ready too.”
Speaking after Ake limped off against Bayern, Guardiola said that his withdrawal was a precaution.
“He felt tired and Nathan, with his history it is better not to take a risk,” the City boss said.
Ahead of the Community Shield Guardiola said that City had no injury concerns, although Ake was then absent from the matchday squad.
Ake could be joined in the City starting line-up by new signing Josko Gvardiol, who Guardiola confirmed is ready for action after completing his £77.5m move from RB Leipzig last week.
The 21-year-old Croatian centre-back completed his move too late to be registered to play in the Community Shield last weekend, although he was present at Wembley to watch the match.
Kevin de Bruyne could be involved from the start after he made his return from a serious hamstring injury as a second-half substitute against Arsenal.
Friday’s match at Turf Moor promises to be an emotional affair as it will mark the first time Vincent Kompany will face his old club in a Premier League match.
The former City captain took charge of Burnley last summer and guided them to promotion to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
