Pep Guardiola wary of Andy Carroll threat

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted that he is concerned about the aerial threat of Andy Carroll ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with West Ham United.

City will welcome West Ham to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday looking to once again move eight points clear of second-placed Manchester United at the top of the Premier League table.

The Citizens have been victorious in each of their last 12 Premier League matches, but West Ham are winless in five.

Despite the hosts being the overwhelming favourites to collect another three points, Guardiola is taking nothing for granted due to the different qualities that West Ham can call upon.

"Try to realise, with the way Carroll plays, it will be complicated," Guardiola told reporters. "I can imagine the game - defending like in the Huddersfield [Town] and Southampton games.

"A lot of long balls, balls in the box, and Carroll scores a goal. Carroll in the box is better than our central defenders. That can happen in football.

"One counter-attack, we miss [a tackle] and get a red card. You can lose the game. Everything happens normally and you have a chance to win the game - but we never know.

"That's why it's better to be calm and prepare as well as possible, because it's the same three points as against Manchester United. It counts the same and this is why it is better to be focused and in the future we can see what will happen."

Carroll has failed to score in eight Premier League appearances this season.