Brentfordvs.Man City

Walker has endured a challenging season both on and off the pitch and indicated last week that he wishes to depart the Etihad Stadium this month.

The 34-year-old was excluded from the Citizens' matchday squad for Saturday's FA Cup third-round clash against Salford, with Pep Guardiola saying he was not in the right state to take part in the game.

With no development in his transfer situation since revealing his desire to leave, City's skipper is continuing to train as normal and it seems likely that he will travel with the team to West London this week.

Walker in contention to feature against the Bees

A packed schedule sees Man City heading into three crucial matches in the next 10 days, including Premier League fixtures against Brentford and Ipswich, and a Champions League battle in Paris.

In his pre-match media briefing on Monday, Guardiola was asked if Walker would return to the squad to face the Bees on Tuesday night.

The Spaniard said: "I don't have any news. We'll decide after training. I said what I said and I'm not going to add anything else. It is Brentford on my mind."

It is understood that City will only consider letting the defender depart this month if they receive a suitable offer, as the 34-year-old remains under contract until next summer.

Walker has won 17 trophies since joining the Citizens from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017 and is believed to be on the radar of Serie A giants AC Milan.

Guardiola discusses January acquisitions

While Walker's future at the Etihad Stadium remains unclear, widespread reports in recent days have suggested that the English champions are already lining up his replacement in Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov.

Asked about January signings, Guardiola said: "The club didn't announce anything, so I don't know. What I wanted was the team to come back. Rodri is impossible but everyone else is coming back.

"But if this had not happened we would not have gone to the window, and we would not be in the position we are.

"We've had a lot of problems in the back four and still have, and that is why the club is thinking about what we want to do in this transfer window and maybe the summer."

Man City moved to 34 points in the Premier League after beating West Ham United on January 4, but the defending champions still trail Liverpool by 12 points and have played a game more than the Reds.

Written by

Devesh Jaganath