Guardiola returns negative PCR test and will manage Man City at Newcastle

Pep Guardiola survived a Covid scare and will be in the dugout for Manchester City's trip to Newcastle on Sunday.

Guardiola was unable to take City training on Friday after returning an "inconclusive" coronavirus test and was required to take a follow-up PCR test.

That came back negative just before 8pm, leaving Guardiola free to take training on Sunday and ensure he is on the touchline at St James' Park.

Had the PCR test proved positive, Guardiola would have been forced to isolate for 10 days and miss the Newcastle game, as well as City's Boxing Day encounter at home to Leicester.

Looking ahead to tomorrow's trip to Newcastle, Guardiola said: ""It's not easy to go to Newcastle and get a result, so we'll need the whole team and hopefully we'll be strong enough to get the points.

"People will talk about our place in the table or their place in the table, but when you go to Newcastle, you know what sort of game to expect.

"They've had a tough start to the season but they are a good team with good players and a top manager so we will go there and have to work hard for each other to win the game.

"Newcastle, in their stadium, with their fans behind them, they will be ready and they have the quality to hurt us if we don't play at our best.

"What's most important is the next game. We try not to look to much behind us, because when you do that, you lose your focus. It's important not to look at our last result and think 'we are there'.

"We are playing well and getting results we want, but we have to continue this."

Guardiola paid tribute to City's £100million record signing Jack Grealish and said: "Jack is an outstanding player. He has so much quality and has played so well for us.

"It's important for every player to feel like they're contributing with goals, but he's been playing well all season and we know what to expect from him.

"It takes time to get used to a new team, a new way of playing but Jack knows what he has to do and we will continue to see this."