Pep Guardiola prepared to let Kevin de Bruyne make final call over his fitness for Chelsea clash

Kevin de Bruyne is back in training, but still faces a fight to be involved when Manchester City take on Chelsea on Saturday.

The Belgian is working his way back to fitness after a second knee ligament injury this season.

He has been ruled out of Tuesday’s clash with Watford, with City’s doctors believing the trip to Stamford Bridge will also come too soon for the playmaker.

But Pep Guardiola is prepared to let De Bruyne make the call over his fitness before making a final decision.

The City manager said: “I don’t know (if he will be ready). He’s started training, but it’s day by day.

“In this kind of situation it is the player himself who decides if he feels good. He will train with the team and we will see.”

Sergio Aguero is being assessed by City’s medical staff before Guardiola makes a decision on whether the Argentine will feature against Watford.

The striker was rested against Bournemouth over the weekend due to a muscular issue that doctors warned would keep him out for up to five weeks if aggravated.

Aleks Zinchenko is another doubt for City after taking a heavy blow to the nose against Bournemouth.

Meanwhile, Guardiola has welcomed the challenge of Liverpool, who sit just two points behind City after their dramatic late win against Everton on Sunday.

He said: “I would say that last season was exceptional. The distance at the end of December and January, that’s not normal.

“The rivals we have now is normal. Just two less points, but it’s quite similar what we’ve done. Liverpool have done amazing - that is what it is, it will be a challenge, I didn’t expect this.

“I expected less points, but it’s normal and you have to accept the challenge.”