Pep Guardiola is recovering well from his recent back operation, Manchester City assistant boss Juanma Lillo has said. The City manager is currently out of action after undergoing surgery last week but is expected to return after the upcoming international break. Lillo took charge of the side for the treble winners’ Premier League trip to Sheffield United last week and remains at the helm for Saturday’s visit of Fulham. “I speak very regularly with him, not just in footballing terms but professional terms,” Lillo said at a press conference on Friday. “He’s much better and things are taking place in the way that they should do. All of us are delighted and are really looking forward to him getting back.” Lillo was in contact with Guardiola throughout City’s victory at Bramall Lane last Sunday and during preparations for this weekend’s encounter. “It’s the same as the previous game,” said Lillo. “With Pep there would be more energy but we’re in contact with him all the time. “We share our responsibilities well, we have our roles very well defined by him and we will continue on the right path but he obviously continues to have input. “We’re not quite finished in our preparation for the game.” Defender John Stones is nearing a return to action after a thigh injury. The England international was expected to be sidelined until after the international break but Lillo has delivered a positive update on his condition. Phil Foden and Manuel Akanji have recovered from illness but Kevin De Bruyne is a long-term absentee. Lillo said: “Phil is completely recovered from his illness, Manu’s problem was more for prevention rather than anything serious. He’s more or less there and John is more or less there as well.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live AZ Alkmaar among Aston Villa’s opponents in Europa Conference League group stage Rasmus Hojlund fit to make Manchester United debut at Arsenal – Erik ten Hag Liverpool reject £150m Mohamed Salah bid as Brighton sign Barcelona’s Ansu Fati

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The sight of a bloodied and bandaged Alexander Isak scrapping with Paris St Germain’s defence signalled a new step in his blossoming career for Newcastle boss Eddie Howe. Isak rekindled memories of Magpies warhorse Alan Shearer during Wednesday night’s 4-1 Champions League demolition of the French champions when – after he had been left bleeding in a clash of heads with full-back Lucas Hernandez – he picked himself up and redoubled his efforts to spearhead the attack once again. Head coach Howe was delighted with the 24-year-old Sweden international’s response to his midweek misfortune. He said: “Especially in recent weeks, I’ve seen a real desire off the ball from Alex to press, to work, to set the standards, really, from the front in terms of how we play off the ball and I think he’s been terrific. “It was not nice to see him cut and bandaged, I’d never say that, but it was nice to see a response to it. He responded and worked even harder, so full credit to him.” Isak scored twice in his first three games for Newcastle, including a fine strike on his debut at Liverpool, but was then sidelined for almost four months with a thigh injury he sustained on international duty, although Howe admits even that enforced lay-off proved fruitful. He said: “It was a big change for him when he came to England because just the style of play and our style of play is different, so I think there was a period of adjustment for him. “But I think probably what helped him, actually, was his early injury gave him a chance to sit back and watch the team and to understand the expectations and how we do things. Sometimes you can see that even clearer from watching.” Former Real Sociedad frontman Isak, who is again likely to lead the line at West Ham on Sunday with Callum Wilson – like midfielder Joelinton – battling a hamstring injury, is the newly-enriched club’s record signing with his fee eventually set to reach £63million. But his efforts this week have been celebrated no more than those of defender Fabian Schar, whose £3m price tag when he joined the club from Deportivo la Coruna in July 2018, is starting to look like a spectacular bargain. Schar’s form under Howe has been superb and the 31-year-old capped a fine defensive display against PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe and company with a stunning injury-time strike from distance. Howe said: “It’s not about price because that’s only what someone pays and what someone agrees to receive for the player. He’s just been excellent, he really has. “It’s not a conventional centre-half’s finish that, it’s a centre-forward’s finish, really. But he has the capability to produce moments that take your breath away. Technically he is so good. “If he was starting his career now, he’d be worth an absolute fortune. He’s a top player and I’m really pleased that he’s getting the consistency and the accolades for his performances.” Read More Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal to bring City losing streak to an end On this day in 2010: Rebecca Adlington wins Commonwealth Games 800m gold Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou would eradicate VAR in its current form Brennan Johnson’s ‘safety and health’ a priority for Wales boss Rob Page Erik Ten Hag insists managing Manchester United is not an impossible job Leigh Wood: I’m Josh Warrington’s last chance to get back into title contention

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