City boss Pep Guardiola says his players are still not fit ahead of their third Premier League game of the season, where they face newly promoted Wolves.

The Blues have had a faultless start to the campaign so far this season, beating Arsenal 2-0 on the opening day of the season before thrashing Huddersfield 6-1 last weekend.

They now face a fresh challenge in Wolves, who Guardiola admits ‘destroyed the Championship’ last season as they gained promotion into the big league.

Wolves were the first team to stop City scoring in open play last season when they played each other last October, and the manager has admitted it won’t be an easy task for his side to overcome – not least because his players are still yet to return to full fitness.

City are without back-up goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and star man Kevin De Bruyne for the game, with Bravo suffering an achilles injury and De Bruyne out for up to four months with a knee injury.

And Guardiola has warned that there could be more injuries to come with the club still feeling the effects of a shortened pre-season due to the World Cup in Russia.

“The problem is that now – while we are not far away – we are still not fit,” said Guardiola.

“We see how much the players spend for regeneration after the game. Normally it’s quicker – one or two days – now they need more time.

“It’s because we didn’t make a pre-season. When we arrive, immediately after three-four days we played the Community Shield and Arsenal.

“Some players need much more time to win power, strength. The players complain about muscular problems – that’s why Claudio got out, Kevin. This week Fernandinho had problems with regeneration after the game.

“But it’s normal, we demand a lot and still we are not in the best condition. Hopefully after the international break the team can be better and better.”
[Quotes via Sky Sports]