Pep Guardiola says David Silva ready to face Stoke

Pep Guardiola says David Silva is likely to play against Stoke City on Monday, but will return to Spain to be with his partner and baby son.

Silva’s son was born prematurely in a Valencia hospital during December, and in the days following the birth was left fighting for his life.

Both Silva’s son and partner remain in Spain, meaning he has made frequent journeys home to visit his family.

The 32-year-old missed last Wednesday’s Champions League match against Basel but is set to return at Stoke, live on Sky Sports Premier League.

Guardiola said: “He [Silva] wants to be here but sometimes he needs to come back and see his son and wife, who are doing well.

“He will be ready to play against Stoke City and after that, when we will go to Abu Dhabi, he will stay in Spain.

“What has happened has happened. His family and son are the most important thing.

“Hopefully he can sort it as soon as possible, his lovely kid can grow and grow, and he can stay with us all day.”

Guardiola praised Silva, who joined City in the summer of 2010, for his ability to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League.

“He’s got a lot of technical skills in a complicated league with the physicality, the weather conditions, the pitches, and he has survived to be one of the best players in England for a decade,” Guardiola said.

“He is a huge competitor. He is shy, and he doesn’t speak too much. But on the pitch, when the moment is there and the game is on, he is the guy who never hides in tough conditions when the game is not going well.”

(c) Sky News 2018: Pep Guardiola says David Silva ready to face Stoke