Pep Guardiola gives Man City fitness and availability update ahead of facing Newcastle United

Manchester City could have a fully-fit squad on Saturday as injured trio Aymeric Laporte, John Stones and Stefan Ortega Moreno could be available for the home game against Newcastle United.

Stones has been absent with a hamstring problem sustained in the FA Cup victory over Arsenal a month ago.

Laporte was ill for the trip to RB Leipzig 10 days ago, and also missed the trips to Bournemouth and Bristol City.

Ortega Moreno took a knock on his hand in the FA Cup tie with Bristol City and was forced to some off at half-time but is also back in training.

“They (have) trained, and they feel better – much better,” Guardiola said when asked about them, leaving a possible full squad to pick from against Newcastle.

Guardiola was also full of praise for the job done by Eddie Howe at St James’ Park, saying the 3-3 draw in the north east at the beginning of the campaign was one of City’s toughest games all season.

“He’s doing an incredible job, happened last season and this season a step forward, they are here to stay.

“I have seen the final vs Manchester United and what they’ve done all season, one of the toughest opponents we have to end of season. The mentality, transitions, threats, one of the best teams. That’s why they are there.

“They have not been here a long time, always you think they need time, done exceptional recruitment, experienced players, exactly what they need. A manager with huge quality, maybe a surprise but not any more, but I think they’ll stay there.”

Newcastle are coming into the game after an anti-climactic Carabao Cup final defeat to United, Guardiola dismissed the suggestion they could be deflated at the Etihad.

He said: “It’s a motivation, next season they have to equal what they’ve done so far, to try to stay for a long time, they have to increase standard every season, that’s the big target when you arrive in a final against Manchester United it gives you motivation for the future.”