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Manchester City are confident Raheem Sterling will be available for their Champions League clash with Real Madrid despite suffering a hamstring injury during the defeat to Tottenham, sources have told ESPN.
Sterling limped off with a hamstring strain during the 2-0 defeat on Sunday and is set to miss City’s next fixture, West Ham’s visit to the Etihad Stadium.
The England winger is also a doubt for the game against Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Feb. 22 at the end of City’s winter break, but the injury should not keep him out of the Champions League round-of-16 first leg against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Feb. 26.
Manager Pep Guardiola has admitted Sterling, who has already played 40 games this season, is suffering from fatigue but club medical staff consider the 25-year-old to be a quick healer and, at this stage, there are no fears he will miss the game against Zinedine Zidane’s side in three weeks’ time.
Meanwhile, City are interested in Villarreal defender Pau Torres as they prepare to rejuvenate Guardiola’s squad over the summer.
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The hierarchy, led by director of football Txiki Begiristain, have identified the centre of defence as a key area to strengthen ahead of next season and Torres, 23, could be one of two centre-backs to arrive.
Vincent Kompany‘s departure in the summer has led to midfielder Fernandinho spending most of the campaign in defence, while there are also doubts over the futures of Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones.
Stones, 25, has endured a difficult season and despite being on the verge of entering the final two years of his contract, there are no plans yet to discuss an extension.