Laporte will be fit to face Real Madrid, says Guardiola

Pep Guardiola is confident Aymeric Laporte is ready to play 90 minutes against Real Madrid on Wednesday even though defender asked to be substituted during Saturday's 1-0 win at Leicester. Laporte was replaced by Nicolas Otamendi after 57 minutes of Saturday's match, his third appearance since his return from a long lay-off with a knee injury. Guardiola said re was fresh injury problem for Frenchman but pace of Leicester's attack was a tough test for a player still rediscovering his rhythm.

Laporte will be fit to face Real

"He asked me to be subbed," Guardiola said. "He's t injured. We cant forget he has been out for four or five months injured. y run a lot, (Jamie) Vardy, Kelechi (Iheanacho), (Harvey) Barnes, y are all so fast.

"It was quite different against West Ham (on Wednesday), where re was only one striker so it was easier to control, but he's OK." 

Asked if Laporte was ready to play full match in Champions League last-16 first-leg clash at Bernabeu, Guardiola said: "Yes". Laporte has made a gradual return to action from knee injury suffered against Brighton on August 31. He played 78 minutes against Sheffield United on January 21 but n did t appear again until Wednesday's 2-0 victory over West Ham, completing 65 minutes at Etihad. City have t conceded a goal while Laporte has been back in action and Guardiola will be keen to have his best defender on pitch for as long as possible against Madrid.

Im credits: AP