Guardiola Anticipates Return of Key Players to Boost Manchester City's Ambitions

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed on Friday that his team continues to compete in multiple major competitions, emphasizing that the return of several key players from injury will provide a significant boost as the season progresses.

Guardiola stated in comments to the club's website that City aims to reach the top of the Premier League, expressing satisfaction with their current position, just two points behind leaders Arsenal, ahead of their match against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

In the Champions League, City is currently in fourth place, five points behind Arsenal, but remains within striking distance of the knockout stage, which the manager views as a positive sign for the team's ongoing presence in international competition.

Guardiola highlighted that the team has reached the semi-finals of the League Cup and is preparing for the FA Cup, stressing that the return of injured players will play a crucial role in the remainder of the season.

He revealed that midfielder Rodri might be available for the match against Forest after a lengthy absence due to a hamstring injury, while both Jeremy Doku and John Stones are not expected to play but are anticipated to return soon.

This optimism reflects the Spanish manager's desire to maintain competitive pressure both domestically and internationally, despite the challenges the team has faced recently.