Akanji ready for Brentford as Pep has full squad available | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola says he has a full squad to pick from ahead of the Premier League clash with Brentford on Monday at 20:00 (UK).

Manuel Akanji was the only first team player missing from the squad for the 3-1 victory over Burnley on Wednesday but is back available for the game at the Gtech Stadium.

And the City boss says it’s important to have everyone available as we move into a hectic part of the season, chasing the three trophies that we won last season.

“Of course it’s really important,” Guardiola said in his prematch news conference. “Everybody is fit, everybody is ready. Manu is fit as well.

“The busy period is here, the Champions League is around the corner so it’s good to have everyone.”

City had plenty of positives from the victory over the Clarets with Kevin De Bruyne starting his first game more than six months and played 70 minutes in another significant step towards full fitness.

He was replaced by Erling Haaland for the final 20 minutes with the City striker getting his first action since 6 December and Guardiola says he is ready to start against the Bees.

“Yeah, he’s ready,” the boss added. “Everyone is ready. If they are on the bench then they are ready.”

John Stones also returned to the starting line-up against Burnley after being out since suffering a knock in the win at Everton on 27 December.

Guardiola said the defender came through the game without any issues and is hoping he can have a run of matches after a stop-start season.

“It was not muscular, it was his ankle,” he added. “When the ankle is okay the risk is minor I would say.

“He needs to make a step forward to the John Stones we saw last season. Step-by-step hopefully he can continue and avoid it.”