Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has played down fears that midfielder Ilkay Gundogan suffered a major knee injury in the 3-2 defeat to Brighton last night.

The 30-year-old scored the opening goal at the Amex, but had to be substituted ten minutes into the second half. After the game, Guardiola said the doctor was “optimistic” despite the German having to be taken off following a “kick” from a Brighton player.

City do have a number of injury problems, which will be a concern with the Champions League final against Chelsea just over a week away.

Sergio Aguero (knock) is, though, likely to return against Everton on Sunday, but there are still some doubts over the muscular injuries sustained by Raheem Sterling and Kyle Walker.

Both played the full 90 minutes of the 4-3 win over Newcastle last Friday but the club explained their absence from the matchday squad yesterday by saying they were “not fully fit”.