Guardiola Praying Against Man City Injuries Ahead Of International Break

By Max Wise

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he is praying his players do not get injured as majority of them jets off to represent their countries in the upcoming international break.

The Citizens controversially beat championship side Swansea City 3-2 at the weekend to advance into the FA Cup semifinals where they will face Brighton and Hove Albion, and keep their quadruple hopes alive.

Manchester City have already won the Carabao Cup after beating Chelsea in February, while they are into the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League where they will face Tottenham Hotspurs.

Liverpool took advantage of Manchester City’s FA Cup commitments to move top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 win over Fulham but the champions have a game in hand with neighbours Manchester United.

"I pray, pray, that they come back fit," Guardiola told City's website.

"They have to go to their national teams, they have to go, enjoy and play for their country, but I hope they can come back fit like they are now.

"Maybe they will go away, score three goals and return with the same rhythm, who knows? I just want them fit and here.

"Sergio, David Silva, Aymeric Laporte and a few others will have a week's rest. They will have a training programme to do a little bit each day and then a week of normal training ahead of the Fulham game."

Kevin de Bruyne, Fernandinho, Vincent Kompany and Benjamin Mendy are all nursing injuries, while Fabian Delph has also pulled out of the England squad for the international break but they are expected to make a full recovery when the league resumes in a fortnight.