Pep Guardiola provides major fitness update on Manchester City defender ahead of Everton and Real Madrid fixtures

Pep Guardiola is awaiting a decision on Nathan Ake’s availability ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Everton on Sunday.

The Premier League can extend their advantage at top of the table to four points over second-placed Arsenal with three points at Goodison Park, though the Gunners can cut that cushion back to a single point when they face Brighton.

City remain in the running to pull off a sensational treble following their hard-fought 1-1 draw away at Real Madrid in the opening leg of their Champions League semi-final tie in midweek.

Guardiola’s men are undefeated across all competitions since their 1-0 loss against Tottenham in February and a stellar run of results has seen them take charge of the Premier League title race and seal a place in the FA Cup final against Manchester United.

However, the Manchester City manager will be taking it game by game as his side next face a tricky test against Sean Dyche and Everton, who stunned Brighton with a 5-1 thumping of the Seagulls at the Amex Stadium last time out.

Nathan Ake picked up a knock in City’s narrow triumph against Leeds United last week, with Ilkay Gundogan netting a brace for the Blues.

“I think he (Ake) is much better but I don’t know (if he will be fit to face Sunday). We have training in a few hours and we will see,” Guardiola said on the Netherlands international in a press conference on Friday afternoon.

“Every player is ready. Every player is ready to play and give his own contribution. I thought a lot about the last minutes to do a substitute (in Madrid) but I thought about the players on the bench are so dynamic – Phil (Foden), Julian (Alvarez), Riyad (Mahrez) – but in that moment, we didn’t need that.

“We need to increase our rhythm to increase the moments to everyone else to a high level. Everyone will be important with so many games.”

With a quick turnaround between games in the season run-in, Guardiola could look to rotate his pack to manage fatigue amongst some of his most active first-team squad members.

“We will see. We have five days now after just four days. We will see the team tomorrow, speak with the physios and staff and decide,” the Manchester City manager said on team selection.

“A lot of games to choose, not to choose. Maybe people don’t believe me but I rely on all of them a lot but there are players in certain moments that are so important to us.

“People ask me before Leeds they are tired and the game after was so demanding, when you play so many competitions it’s normal. When you play just one it’s different but now it is what it is.

“Definitely but not just now all the season. They want to play in September, they don’t like me when they don’t play. We are sure going to play until June 3, you have to deserve to win a game to play for one more week. We have potential six games, potential seven, it’s not too much, go for it!

“I think winning helps (us) to be better. You win, the mental recovery is better. Always I believe the human body has incredible resources to go forward. When you think you’re exhausted and can’t go on any more, you can.

“When you lose competitions, yeah you go and you have to refresh. You can be tired, that’s normal but at the same time if your desire mental is in the right position you can have incredible energy.”