Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has insisted defender John Stones is not for sale, despite recent claims he could leave the club at the end of the season.

Stones has struggled for first time game time since the arrival of Aymeric Laporte in January, leading to rumours that the Englishman was surplus to requirements at The Etihad Stadium.

However despite making just one start for the club since the start of March, Guardiola insists Stones remains very much part of his plans and says the Englishman will not be leaving the club during the summer.

“He’s a young player and international English player,” Guardiola said when asked about Stones’ future at City. “The reason we won the title – he is a huge part of that because he was amazing for six months, but he was on international duty twice and came back injured.

“Vincent Kompany came back at an amazing level and Nicolas Otamendi was playing at an amazing level and Aymeric Laporte’s impact from the beginning with his left foot was so so good so he has to compete with them.

“I don’t know how long I will be here in Manchester but while I am here John Stones will be here. He is an amazing guy and he is going to stay. When he is injured and comes back repeatedly it’s not easy.

“But he will stay here with us.”

Stones’ current contract with City runs until June of 2022.