Blues starting spot is Kompany's big target

MANCHESTER City are set to be without Bacary Sagna for the trip to Southampton - but skipper Vincent Kompany is pushing for a starting spot.

Sagna is making good progress after an adductor injury, but is not ready yet, while Kompany is fully fit again after suffering a small reaction following his impressive 90 minutes against Chelsea last Wednesday week.

Guardiola said of his Belgian centre-back: "After the game against Chelsea he had a little problem in his legs, and we didn't want to take the risk, but the good news is he was able to play 90 minutes in a tough game at Stamford Bridge at a high level."

TOUGH

Guardiola is expecting a tough game against Southampton tomorrow evening, who left an impression on the boss when they drew 1-1 at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season.

"Southampton are having an exceptional season," Guardiola said.

"They have very good midfielders, the strikers are so fast, the wingers can play inside, all of them good quality. I was really impresed when they came here in what was a busy time for us. It will be a really good test."

Ilkay Gundogan (knee) and Gabriel Jesus (foot) remain on the sidelines.

Claude Puel's side have won their last two games, against Crystal Palace at home and West Brom away, and sit ninth in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Leroy Sane has been nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year.

The City winger's dynamic performances in this, his first season in the Premier League, have caught the eye of his fellow professionals and is on a shortlist of six players.

No City player has won this award since 1976 when Peter Barnes, also predominantly a left winger, was named the PFA Young Player.

With eight goals in 28 appearances and seven in his last 15, Leroy Sane has become a firm favourite among the City fans and the 21-year-old will hope to end the campaign in a rich vein of form.

He will be up against Dele Alli and Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur, Michael Keane or Burnley, Romelu Lukaku of Everton and Sunderland's Jordan Pickford.

The winners will be revealed at 44th PFA Awards to be held in the Grosvenor House in London on Sunday, April 23.