Manchester City receive double fitness update in major boost ahead of RB Leipzig and Arsenal clashes

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have been boosted by two new fitness updates from first-team stars this week ahead of two crucial clashes.

The European and Premier League champions will play two matches in both competitions, which will play a vital role in their bid to defend both titles this week, despite the season having already begun.

Manchester City travel to Germany on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the second match of the UEFA Champions League group stage on Wednesday evening, when they take on RB Leipzig in Germany with the aim of moving to within three points of the group leaders.

After the clash in East Germany, City will return to England to complete their preparations ahead of the match against last season’s Premier League title challengers Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

Ahead of both games, Manchester City and Pep Guardiola in particular have received a significant boost to their first-team selection, with the return of two key stars after injury problems.

According to Manchester Evening News’ Simon Bajkowski, Manchester City were boosted by the timely return of Bernardo Silva and John Stones to first-team training on Tuesday morning.

Stones has not played for Manchester City since the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal in early August, suffering a hamstring problem the day after the UEFA Super Cup victory over Sevilla in Athens.

As Rodri completes his three-match suspension against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, some also believe that Pep Guardiola could consider using Stones as a sole defensive midfielder, although not yet any decisions have been made.

As for Bernardo Silva, the Portuguese international’s last match took place on the first day of the Champions League group stage. He was substituted before halftime against Red Star Belgrade due to injury.

Pep Guardiola is likely to provide further updates on the pair in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Champions League clash with RB Leipzig on Wednesday night.