Manchester City are back in training and building toward the weekend. Let’s get all caught up on the latest from the boys and girls in blue.

Man City pair Gabriel Jesus and Ederson ARE likely to be in squad against Leicester - Stuart Brennan - Manchester Evening News

Brennan likes the chances of Gabby and Eddie being available come Saturday.

The stance of the South American clubs and Mexico is set to bite particularly deeply at City, who would have been deprived of their first-choice goalkeeper, and with number two Zack Steffen unavailable after a positive Covid test, 36-year-old Scott Carson is in line for an unexpected second Premier League appearance.

The reality is likely to be that the parties involved come to a sensible solution, with the Premier League in negotiations with the Brazilian federation on behalf of their member clubs.

Neither the clubs nor the league are saying anything while delicate talks are ongoing, but a solution is expected to be reached in the next 24 hours.

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The Brazilian FA had to be seen to take a stand, with fans in that country annoyed at being without major stars like Ederson, Jesus, Roberto Firmino and Fabinho.

But deep down, they know that the pandemic situation in Brazil, one of the worst-hit countries on the planet in terms of both cases and deaths makes this an extraordinary situation.

Fernandinho Reveals One Man City Moment That ‘Will Never Be Surpassed’ In Etihad Career - Harry Siddall - City Xtra

Our Brazilian captain remembers his favorite City moment so far.

Agreeing to a one-year extension earlier in the summer, the midfielder believes he still has a lot to give and can propel his side to win even more accolades.

“My desire before I leave City is to conquer as many titles as possible. This year we’ll start fighting for the four trophies we’ve got: Premier League, Champions League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup.”

But amongst all the accolades, there’s one that stands out clearly in the veterans mind - his most recent Premier League triumph.

After a relentless campaign, Fernandinho became the first ever Brazilian to lift the trophy as captain.

“No title I won here surpassed this moment. Mainly, making history on being the first Brazilian captain to lift the Premier League,” Fernandinho said.

“I was moved. Without a doubt, one day, when I come back to Brazil, there will be a frame with a picture of mine lifting the Premier League trophy.”

Manchester City Women Crash Out Of Champions League - Petec21 - Bitter and Blue

The ladies weren’t up to the task against Real in the UCL.

City had been the better side in the first half, but the warning signs that Real could nick a goal went unheeded. The visitors had a goal disallowed - perhaps harshly - for offside in the first half and City didn’t learn their lesson.

Real won a corner after Taieb was forced to tip over a powerful shot from Robles, the goalscorer in last week’s tie. The blues slack defending led to the chance but the City keeper was equal to it.

But, from the resulting corner, City again failed to clear their lines and Zornoza’s left foot strike went on off a deflection, leaving the blues with it all to do in the second half.

City had a glorious chance to level in the second half when the Real keeper made a hash of a clearance and Ellen White intercepted, and squared to Weir, but the Scot just couldn’t reach it in time otherwise it would have been a tap-in.

Everything you need to know ahead of our first home game in the FA Women’s Super League of 2021-22... - George Kelsey - ManCity.com

But the league is still out there for them. This week they face off against Spurs.

Gareth Taylor’s side knew a victory would keep up the pressure on league leaders Chelsea, and Georgia Stanway demonstrated our attacking intent early on with a ferocious long-range drive which rattled back off the underside of the crossbar.

But City were ahead from the subsequent corner, as Spurs’ stopper Spencer inadvertently punched the ball into her own net under pressure from Beckie.

The Canadian doubled our lead with half-time approaching, coolly slotting home from Sam Mewis’ incisive ball in behind to round off a swift counterattack.

And the third eventually came just after the hour when Caroline Weir found the bottom corner after Chloe Kelly’s initial ball across the face of goal had evaded the onrushing Mewis.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers delivers glowing Pep Guardiola verdict ahead of Man City clash - George Smith - Manchester Evening News

The Foxes’ boss gives his opinion on how to beat Pep’s lads.

With City looking to make it three wins on the bounce, Foxes chief Rodgers is fully aware of the challenge that faces him and his players, with the Northern Irishman insisting that Guardiola is the “world’s best manager.”

Rodgers, speaking in his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon, as quoted by Leicestershire Live, said: “They’re an incredible team. They have the world’s best manager, so it’s always a huge challenge. Their squad play the best positional game.

“They have the technique and hunger, and that’s why they’ve been so successful. You know you are going to be restricted on the ball, but when you have it, it’s having that confidence. You have to be concentrated.

“They have special talents who can make the difference. You need to defend well, play well, get a bit of luck, and take the opportunities.”

Man City Officials Show Strong Stance on FIFA’s Biennial World Cup Plans - Brandon Evans - City Xtra

The board are set to oppose to the biannual World Cup plan.

According to the source, the principal reasoning for the club’s stance is due to player welfare and, whilst speaking at a recent European Club Association meeting, Manchester City’s CEO Ferran Soriano stated; “There is no space for anything. No room at all. The players cannot play more games, that’s for sure.”

Should the controversial proposals come to fruition, then it will likely require a restructure of the existing domestic football schedule.

Whilst consequently, the European Championship finals would be held in the years the World Cup is not being contested, meaning that international footballers would not be granted a summer break every two years as is currently the case.

Manchester City want to buy Real Madrid’s star player - Aditya Kumar - Man City Square

And finally, it wouldn’t be a day without another City transfer rumor.

According to Guardiola, Modric is the “ideal midfielder” and would bring “balance” to his squad.

Modric wants to end his career by playing in the US and City are ready to offer him that opportunity by providing a contract that starts at the Etihad but will allow him to play for their subsidiary club New York City FC.

As of now, Manchester City have a very good squad, but they need to improve in two key areas to continue challenging for trophies. One of them is to find a striker, especially after Harry Kane rejected the club’s offers during the summer transfer window.

The second is to find a midfielder who provides balance and rhythm to the squad. While Kevin De Bruyne provides the team with the attacking output, Manchester City lack a midfielder who can control the tempo of the game and bring balance and rhythm to the game.

There are very few midfielders who can do this better than one time Ballon D’or winner Luka Modric.

That’s all for today! Come back tomorrow as we get you ready for matchday against Leicester City.