Pep rumours won’t hurt us – Pellegrini

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is confident his players won’t be affected by rumours linking Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola with his job.

Speculation that Guardiola could be headed to City has intensified since the Spaniard announced he would be leaving Munich in the summer.

Pellegrini, whose contract at the Etihad Stadium expires in 2017, said: "I don't think players only work for the manager – they work for the group, themselves, because they want to win.

"I don't think that a professional player will have any problems if he is listening or reading about things that may happen next year. If they do they are not professional players.

“So I am absolutely sure nobody in the squad has any problems or doubts about what we're doing and after that we'll see what happens in the future."

But Pellegrini is cheered by the news that influential captain Vincent Kompany is back in contention for the Boxing Day clash with Sunderland after eight games out with a calf injury. Pablo Zabaleta and Fernando are also available again after lay–offs.