Pep Guardiola delivers important Nathan Ake and Kevin De Bruyne fitness update ahead of Fulham clash

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered a crucial update on the progress being made by Nathan Ake this week.

The Premier League champions are entering a decisive period in their domestic season following the victory against Arsenal on Wednesday night, with three consecutive top-flight fixtures next on the agenda for Guardiola and his squad.

With Fulham away their next challenge, two home matches at the Etihad Stadium then follow against teams fighting towards the bottom of the table in Leeds United and West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium.

In that time, Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City players will be hoping that they have a full compliment of talent at their disposal, with Nathan Ake an integral member of the current squad in the left-back role.

Speaking ahead of his side’s next Premier League encounter this weekend, as they prepare to travel to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham, Pep Guardiola has delivered a much-needed update on the fitness of his squad at a crucial stage of the campaign.

On the latest surrounding Nathan Ake – who sustained a hamstring injury in the 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena earlier this month, Pep Guardiola revealed the Dutch international is now ‘much better’, but not training with the team.

Guardiola explained, “He’s much better. The player knows his body and the reaction. He’s still not training with the team.

“I think it won’t be long, but maybe tomorrow comes and the trainer says he’s not training, but I think not.”

Elsewhere in his first-team squad, Pep Guardiola stated that everyone except for Ake is fit and ready to compete on Sunday afternoon, as Manchester City look to further pile on the pressure on Arsenal by going top of the table prior to their next fixture.

That clarification will come as a major boost to those concerned about Kevin De Bruyne, who complained of ‘niggles’ as the reason behind his substitution against Arsenal.

City currently sit two points behind Mikel Arteta and his league leaders following Wednesday night’s 4-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium, with Arsenal not in action until Tuesday night when they host Chelsea at the Emirates.

City are also looking to complete a treble of silverware successes this season, with their Premier League title pursuit accompanied by a Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid on the horizon, as well as an FA Cup final showdown against Manchester United scheduled for Saturday 3 June.