Nathan Ake could be back in the Manchester City squad to face Leicester on Sunday despite being taken off against Everton.

Ake returned to the starting lineup on Boxing Day for his first game since the win over Nottingham Forest, where he suffered a recurrence of the hamstring injury that has previously seen him out. There were more concerns against Everton when he appeared to hurt himself again and he was replaced by Jahmai Simpson-Pusey for the closing minutes of the game.

City have had an injury crisis among their centre-backs for the last two months, and John Stones and Ruben Dias are already sidelined to mean Pep Guardiola has had to rush Ake back. The Dutch defender did give a thumbs up to the medical staff as he made his way back to his seat following his substitution, and defensive partner Akanji is hopeful that the change against Everton was more precautionary rather than a result of more damage.

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"I don't know if he's really injured, we will see how he feels.," said Akanji. "Maybe it was just for safety because he came back and we have another match in a few days so I hope he will be there but we played with the squad like this for two years since I'm here and it worked out.

"We've had lots of injuries so it's not easy at the moment. Even now we will find a way and come out of this and luck will come again on our side."

Ake will be checked at the City Football Academy as part of the squad recovery before a final decision is made on whether he can feature against Leicester.