Pep Guardiola will not rush Benjamin Mendy back for Manchester City, however keen the Frenchman is to play.
Left-back Mendy is now back in training with the Premier League leaders after six months on the sidelines following cruciate ligament knee surgery.
Mendy, who made a huge impression in the early weeks of the season after joining City in a £49million move from Monaco, has said he hopes to return to action next month.
But City boss Guardiola wants to err on the side of caution and feels he may have to hold the 23-year-old back for his own good.