Manchester City sweating on Vincent Kompany fitness ahead of derby showdown

Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane and Claudio Bravo are ready to make their Manchester City debuts in Saturday's (10 September) derby against Manchester United but could be without their captain, Vincent Kompany.

Gundogan, 24, suffered a dislocated kneecap while playing for Borussia Dortmund in May, a knock that ruled him out of Germany's Euro 2016 campaign. The midfielder returned to first-team training two weeks ago with manager Pep Guardiola pleased with his progress.

Sane, who also arrived at the club carrying a knock, is also available having recovered from his hamstring problem while Chile international Bravo has recovered from a minor leg problem.

Guardiola told a press conference: "Claudio is ok, he had a little bit of a problem in his leg but he's trained the last two days. Sane is in terms of his condition, is the best player – Gundogan is much better.

"Bravo is fit and ready – he's 32, 33 years old – he has experience. No problem with that. He has to save the goals."

The former Barcelona manager was less confident about club captain Kompany. The Belgium international also missed his country's Euro 2016 campaign after suffering a thigh strain during a Champions League semi-final clash with Real Madrid last April.

While Guardiola insists the centre-half is fit, the club are waiting on the results of a blood test and may choose not to take any risks with their skipper.

"Kompany is training but we are waiting for the blood test to be sure. He's fit but we don't want to take too much risk because of what happened last season. We will be sure when he comes back he is 100%."

United and City meet having both won all three of their opening games of the new Premier League season.