TV pundit Martin Keown believes Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola must start Leroy Sane against Tottenham this afternoon.

The German was not selected to start in either leg of the Champions League quarter-final, and the former Arsenal defender thinks that was a mistake.

Keown is backing Sane to come into the side for today’s league game at the Etihad Stadium:

“He should start by putting Leroy Sane in his line-up. I understand it is difficult for Pep Guardiola to pick 11 players, given the squad at his disposal, but Tottenham must have been delighted with his decision to barely use Sane in the Champions League.”

“The 23-year-old only came on in the 89th minute of the first leg at the new Tottenham Stadium. Then he came on in the 84th minute of the second leg at the Etihad Stadium.”

“That’s not nearly enough time for him to make his mark. The City youngster is an outstanding talent and it’s time to use him.”

Guardiola’s lack of trust in Sane for the big games has only really surfaced in the last few months. He started and scored the winning goal against Liverpool in early January but things have changed since then.

The 23-year-old was an unused substitute in the home wins against Arsenal and Chelsea in February and began the 3-2 first leg win against Schalke in the last 16 of the Champions League on the bench.

Sane’s omission from the starting eleven for both games against Spurs came as a surprise, but after scoring 15 goals and contributing 18 assists this season, there is pressure to reinstate him to the side.