Manuel Pellegrini: 'Manchester City are stronger than last year'

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has hinted that some of his first-team players may not be fit to feature against Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.

City were without more than half-a-dozen players for their Community Shield defeat to Arsenal last weekend, but despite admitting that some players may remain absent, Pellegrini believes that he possesses a stronger squad than he had at the Etihad Stadium last year.

The 60-year-old told reporters: "This Premier League will be exactly the same as the last one. Five or six teams have very strong squads.

"I think that we have a stronger squad than last season. We are ready to start. Maybe some players need more days to be 100%".

New signing Eliaquim Mangala is one City player who has revealed that he won't feature against the Magpies.