Pep Guardiola: 'Pablo Zabaleta can play midfield'

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has suggested that right-back Pablo Zabaleta will fill the midfield void left by Fernandinho in Saturday's Premier League clash with Leicester City.

Fernandinho has been an ever-present for Man City this season, but will miss the club's next three league matches after being sent off in last weekend's 3-1 defeat to Chelsea at the Etihad.

Zabaleta played central midfield in Man City's 1-1 draw with Celtic in the Champions League during the week, and Guardiola has talked up the Argentine's ability to play in that position.

"Zabaleta can play in the middle. In the last game against Chelsea, he did that. He is really good at arriving in the box," Guardiola told reporters. "In the last years of his career, he is going to play more in the middle than at full-back. He has the qualities, not the same as Fernandinho, but he can play there."

Zabaleta joined Man City from Spanish side Espanyol in the summer of 2008.