The one position Manchester City have emerged weaker from in January is definitely right-back following the exit of club captain Kyle Walker.

Rico Lewis had played well enough to keep Walker on the bench, but all those games have caught up with him and now it is the turn of makeshift full-back Matheus Nunes to try and answer the right-back issue for Pep Guardiola.

It's been a mixed bag for Nunes in his six successive starts for City. Some games - and some errors - make it obvious he's simply not a full-back. Just when you think he's bounced back from his errors vs Manchester United, he dives in against Club Brugge or PSG.

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But then there are moments where it works and Nunes moves into midfield better than Lewis or Walker.

City must know he is still a temporary solution, but with Lewis given some time out of the spotlight, he is their only solution at the moment, barring a surprise new arrival before the January transfer deadline.

"Well, it could be temporary, but of course for the problems that we have, the players, they have something, a pace that we don't have," Guardiola teased when quizzed on Nunes' long-term position.

"It's not a natural position, but as a player he's tried to make it a lot, and he helps us offensively and defensively as well. In some departments he's helping us and learning a lot. Yeah, it's a potential [to stay there]. His pace, the hard kick he can play on the sides, absolutely can do it. It's quite courageous for him to do that, because obviously he's up against fantastic players.

"I would say that Matheus, with all the players who want to play, it doesn't matter which position, but of course every player has his own position and feels more comfortable, but I'm not complaining on that."

Guardiola's comments suggest he will continue in that role for the time being, even if he is prone to switching off or getting caught out upfield. And with Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Liverpool coming up, Nunes' defensive attributes will be fully tested.

As will City's transfer decision to let Walker leave while waiting for the summer to sign a replacement.