Pep Guardiola provides fitness update on three Manchester City players ahead of Borussia Dortmund clash

Pep Guardiola has provided an update on his squad's fitness ahead of Manchester City's Champions League group-stage clash with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday evening.

The Premier League champions return to action after their league game against Tottenham at the weekend was called off following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Friday afternoon.

Pep Guardiola's men cruised to a 4-0 victory at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in their opening European outing of the season with goals from Phil Foden, Ruben Dias and a brace from in-form Erling Haaland.

Manuel Akanji lined up alongside Ruben Dias in central defence in Seville as John Stones missed the trip and with Aymeric Laporte yet to reach full fitness, City's deadline day signing was called to action.

The 27-year-old provided a calm and assured display on his debut in sky blue and was given a helping hand by Dias, who capped off an exemplary all-round performance by getting on the scoresheet in stoppage time.

Laporte has returned to full training ahead of the game but is unlikely to be involved against Dortmund on Wednesday as he recovers from surgery on his knee from the summer.

Kyle Walker was not spotted in training on Tuesday as the England international appears to remain on the sidelines after being replaced by Nathan Ake late on against Aston Villa last weekend.

Joao Cancelo could hence be set to retain his place at right-back when Dortmund face off against Guardiola's side two seasons on from their Champions League quarter-final tie.

City won home and away against the Bundesliga side and went on to reach their first-ever Champions League final in the 2020/21 season.

Erling Haaland and Manuel Akanji, both of whom made the switch from Dortmund to Manchester in the summer, could be set to line up against their former side in midweek.

Haaland has made a sensational start to life at the Etihad Stadium, with 12 strikes in his first seven outings for Manchester City this season.

Speaking in his press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Pep Guardiola provided an update on his squad's fitness ahead of the mouth-watering contest against Dortmund.

The Manchester City boss provided updates on England defensive duo Kyle Walker and John Stones, saying that: "John [Stones] is training, Kyle [Walker] doesn't. John is fit and good."

Despite returning to first-team training, Guardiola suggested that Wednesday's fixture will come too soon for Aymeric Laporte.

"I don't think so [that he'll be on the bench vs BVB]. Training session yesterday was partial, today complete. I spoke with the doctor, he needs a little more volume on his leg but in general he's going well," said Guardiola.

Manchester City remain unbeaten this season and despite being held to a few draws in the league recently, the Blues have made a strong beginning to their title defence.

City cut the gap to the top of the league to just one point last weekend as Arsenal suffered a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United whilst Guardiola's side were held to a 1-1 draw by Aston Villa.

The Blues face Wolves in a lunchtime kick-off on Saturday when they return to Premier League action, though several games have been called off across the English top-flight this weekend.