Manuel Pellegrini says Vincent Kompany is not a guarantee to start in the Manchester derby on Sunday.
Kompany is fully fit and played for Belgium during the international break but has been on the bench for City's last two matches against Bournemouth last Satuday and Sevilla in midweek, both of which they won.
But the Manchester City boss says he is yet to start the defender, he wants to be absolutely sure he is fit.
Elsehwhere City are in the midst of a bit of an injury crisis, with star men Sergio Aguero and David Silva still out.
They join Samir Nasri, Fabian Delph and Gael Clichy on the sidelines.
"I don't have any problem with Vincent Kompany," said Pellegrini. "I need every week to choose the XI that I think is the best for that game and when the others play they must wait, exactly the same for the players of the squad.
"I'm not punishing Vincent and I don't have any problems in the relationship with Vincent.
"I think that after one month or five weeks without playing and without training you must be fit and you are not ready to play an important game. It's important to work some days before he returns to the team."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments