Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that many of his squad members are still getting up to speed following their participation at this summer's World Cup.
The tournament in Russia meant that those involved returned late for pre-season training, and City's participation in the Community Shield further shortened an already disrupted pre-season regime.
The defending Premier League champions have not shown too many signs of rust by quickly reassuming their place at the top of the table following last weekend's 6-1 drubbing of Huddersfield Town, but Guardiola warned that his side are still not at full strength.
"We are not far away but we're still not fit. We see how much time the players need for regeneration after games. Normally it is quicker. They need more time," the Spaniard told reporters at his pre-match press conference.
"This is because we didn't make a pre-season. After three or four days we played the Community Shield. A few players are much better but others need more time to win power and strength."
City will look to make it three wins from three at the start of the season when they take on newly-promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Saturday.
Barney Corkhill
