Pep Guardiola admitted injury doubts were stopping him from being clear on his Manchester City XI against Real Madrid.

The Blues have a number of players returning from injury, with Ruben Dias playing a half at Leyton Orient and Jeremy Doku, Ederson and Nathan Ake back in training. However, there were also concerns over new boy Nico Gonzalez after he was forced off 20 minutes into his debut at Brisbane Road.

Guardiola said he had had one eye on Real Madrid since last week, before upping his preparations on Saturday after their FA Cup game was over. He has worked out plenty ahead of Tuesday's first leg of their Champions League play-off, but there are a few decisions that will need more time.

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"I know the gameplan tomorrow, I know the way I want to play," he said. "I still have doubts over the selection because we still have injuries and people coming back but I am always optimistic and calm."

City's main concern will be whether John Stones and Dias will be fit enough to start together, and if Gonzalez has recovered from his knock. The £50m man was forced off on his debut at Leyton Orient in Saturday's FA Cup fourth round victory having been pushed off the ball to allow Jamie Donley to score a wonder goal that gave the League One side the lead.

City will not want to take any risks with their January recruit in a season where injuries have destabilised the whole squad. However, Guardiola was cautiously optimistic on Saturday as he spoke of a knock rather than anything muscular for Gonzalez.

The City boss was hopeful of a return in time for the Madrid clash, saying at the weekend: "I hope so but I don't know. The kick was strong in this area but we have three days and we will see. "