Man City and Ukraine's Zinchenko backed by Pep and Ederson ahead of UCL clash

First-choice left-back Joao Cancelo has been ruled out of the tie against Sporting Lisbon due to illness and Nathan Ake is also unavailable, meaning the Ukrainian could take his place.

Zinchenko was recently interviewed by Gary Lineker for the BBC, and the Ukrainian went into detail about just how tough it's been to deal with the ongoing attack on his country.

And the 25-year-old's bravery hasn't gone unnoticed by his club.

Ahead of City's second leg round of 16 clash against the Primeira League side, both Zinchenko's manager Pep Guardiola and teammate Ederson spoke of the defender's strength amid the ongoing situation in his homeland.

Ederson said: "It's a very difficult moment for him. It's his country. His family are there. Living these anguishing moments. For us who don't live there it is difficult.

"Can you imagine what it is like for him? It is hard to see your teammate suffer and the civilians suffering in the country. It's a very difficult topic.

"We try to give him strength and bring some joy into his day but we know how difficult that is. I hope it resolves and the country can get back to normality.

"It will be very difficult due to the damage being done, the amount of innocent people that are dying due to a war that is nothing to do with them."

Zinchenko has carried on training as usual since Russia invaded his country, and his manager Guardiola stated the player would be 'ready' to defend City's 5-0 lead going into the second leg versus Sporting.

"Zinchenko is ready, not an easy period for him, absolutely not, but I think he'd be ready if he has to play," Guardiola explained ahead of the tie, "We don't have many players, just 14 available, a few problems.

"Of course, we had an incredible result in the first leg, but football is unpredictable. Not many alternatives but we will put the best team out possible to win the game."