Jesus could make early Man City return in League Cup final

MANCHESTER: Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus could make a shock return for Sunday’s (tomorrow’s) League Cup final against Arsenal but Pep Guardiola has doubts over Raheem Sterling’s fitness for the Wembley showpiece.

Brazil international Jesus has not featured for the Premier League leaders since he suffered a knee ligament injury against Crystal Palace on December 31.However, he has returned to training and Guardiola, chasing his first silverware for the club, revealed the 20-year-old is in contention to face the Gunners at Wembley.

“We’ll see on Saturday. It is the third training session for Gabriel and every day is better,” said the City boss, who saw his side’s quadruple dreams ended by an FA Cup fifth-round defeat at the hands of League One Wigan earlier this week.

“He’s so important. When people say about four titles, you have to be everything going well, when your full-back is injured six months, it’s more difficult, without Gabriel it’s so difficult.“Sergio Aguero has been incredible, but sometimes you need to be fresh. At Wigan we could have played two up front in the last minutes if Gabriel had been on the bench — now we have that chance with Gabriel.”

England forward Sterling, who is struggling with a muscle injury, will be assessed ahead of the match.Guardiola also confirmed that he will stick with Claudio Bravo in goal for the final, having used the Chilean in the competition ahead of first-choice goalkeeper Ederson.“The fans have an opinion but I’m the manager,” Guardiola said. “You put all the fans in front of me and everyone has their opinion but we are here for the club.”