John Stones is expected to start a Premier League game for the first time since January when Manchester City face Newcastle later.

The England centre back has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium at the end of season. Pep Guardiola admits he'd like to keep Stones but knows he might want to play regular football elsewhere.

“I’ve said many times, and continue saying, I’m more than delighted with John Stones as a person, as a professional, everything," the City boss said ahead of tonight's game.

“What I want is the best for him and at the end of the season we are going to speak about what is going to happen, because sometimes my wish is not the wish of the players, or the wish for the situation of the club.

“I am honest with them and the moment I will feel – not with John but any player – if we have to change we are going to tell them.

“Of course, what we want is, for his future and for ours, for him to come back and play and to be able to train during two, three or four months with no injuries. John has struggled with his injuries.

“But the quality of John is there – never doubt it for one second. It’s just when you don’t play, are injured again, you are rotated and injured again – players are good when they play in a routine, they are confident. You need minutes, playing being fit.

“He must play for himself and focus on what he has to do. Him and anyone will not be judged for bad actions or bad moments.”