Man City Team News: Pellegrini’s Confirms Triple Boost But Duo Won’t Face Chelsea

Manchester City will look to lay a marker down for the season when they entertain defending champions Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Ahead of the game, Manuel Pellegrini has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and has given reporters a team news and injury update.

The City boss confirmed that key striker Sergio Aguero has got a full weeks training under his belt and should therefore be in contention to start against Chelsea this weekend.

The Argentinean international returned late for pre-season training after competing in the Copa America but came off the bench during City’s 3-0 win over West Brom on Monday, so could now be in line to start on Sunday.

Yaya Toure was withdrawn against the Baggies earlier in the week and was seen holding his groin as he made his way off the pitch, but Pellegrini has revealed that his substitution was just a precaution and the Ivorian international is fit to face the Blues.

In a triple boost, the City boss also confirmed that Gael Clichy is back in training but the left-back will face a late fitness test to determine whether he’ll be in the squad to face the Premier League champions.

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However, there was some disappointing team news as Pellegrini revealed that Fernando has picked up a groin injury and will join fellow midfielder Fabian Delph in missing the Chelsea clash.

The City boss is quoted as saying by ESPN:

“Sergio worked the whole week without any problems,”

“He is not 100 percent fit because it is better for the player to do a long preseason but now we are already in the Premier League and Sergio doesn’t have any problems.”

“Yaya is OK, it was just a precaution the other day.”

“He [Clichy] started yesterday [Thursday] working with the squad. We will see tomorrow if he is in the squad list for Sunday. He is working as normal.”

“Fernando has a groin problem, he could not play the first game and he will not be ready for this one also.”

It will be a major boost for City to have Aguero and Toure fit to face Chelsea as they are two of their most influential players and Pellegrini would have been hugely disappointed if either weren’t fit when the champions come to town.

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Obviously it’s still early in the season but last years top 2 could very-well be vying it out for the title again next May, so this game could end up having a major say when it comes to the end of the season.