Guardiola on Kyle Walker, the injured, Mateusz Nunes and the busy schedule

Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola speaks ahead of his team's visit to West Ham tomorrow. The Spaniard missed the last two matches of the "citizens" as he underwent back surgery. "I'm better now. The doctor did a good job and every week it will be better. It was strange not to be at the games, but everything was fine," commented Guardiola.

The Spaniard commented in detail on the extension of Kyle Walker's contract: "He was really important for us. It's great that he decided to stay. His mind is here, on the pitch, he loves football and that's not a problem. Few players have genetics like him. He has stability in his life and his age will not be a problem.

He is already one of the captains, the voting will take place in the next few days and the boys will decide who is the first captain and who is the next. I've known Kyle for seven years and when he wasn't playing sometimes for tactical reasons he was talking about maybe leaving, but he's such an important player for us. I was sad that he didn't get to play in the Champions League final, but look how good his response has been since then."

Guardiola also spoke about the personnel problems of the team: "Stones and Grealish are injured. They will not be available for tomorrow. I don't think they will be ready for the match with Red Star from the SHL. Mateo Kovacic also has a muscle problem and he will also be out for tomorrow".

The Manchester City manager also commented on the team's upcoming busy schedule: "It doesn't affect my selection of players for the West Ham game. The season always starts right now, after the first international break, when the transfer window is over and the kids are back at school - parents can get into a routine. We have the Champions League, the Carabao Cup and of course the Premier League coming up."

Guardiola also spoke about summer signing Mateus Nunes: "He can play as a holding midfielder, attacking midfielder and even as a holding midfielder. He needs to improve his first touch, it's not good enough yet. His energy is good and he has played his last games with Wolves as a winger. He has so much quality. He can dribble well and in time he will learn to be more accurate with his first touch. It will work for him."