Pep Guardiola on Newcastle, Bruno and the big factor behind Eddie Howe's success

Pep Guardiola is having arguably his toughest season yet as Man City boss, but the Spaniard has still had only good things to say about Newcastle United.

Speaking to the media ahead of today's 3pm kick-off at the Etihad, Guardiola has revealed a couple of City players set to miss out through injury, hailed Bruno Guimaraes and discussed what he believes to be a big part of our success so far this season.

Big praise for Bruno

Asked about the prospect of taking on Eddie Howe's Newcastle, Guardiola quickly brought up Bruno Guimaraes; our captain and midfield maestro who was linked with a move to City at one stage last summer.

Pep believes Bruno has been playing at a "high level" for several years now and is impressed by his ability to adapt either as a deep-lying No.6 or in a "more advanced position", which we've seen recently since he and Sandro Tonali swapped roles.

On Newcastle and Guimaraes, Guardiola said: "They have been [a dangerous side] since Eddie Howe took over, especially the last years. Good form, unbelievable speed, so credit to them."

"A lot of threats, positive things, and Bruno is one of them. He has been playing at a high level for two, three or four seasons now, since he arrived from France.

"He continues to play in a more advanced position; before, he was more of a defensive midfielder, and now he is coming forward more, with Tonali more central. They have the physicality, the pace, the long balls, the set pieces, the experience, they’re a solid team."

Guardiola then discussed our recent run to the Carabao Cup Final and push for another top four finish, feeling we are benefiting hugely from playing one game a week and a big contender to qualify for the Champions League again:

"Of course, congratulations to them for the League Cup final, but part of that is playing one game a week, not playing in Europe, and when that happens, they’re incredibly dangerous. We saw the year Newcastle only played just in the Premier League, not playing in Europe, qualified for the Champions League.

"The year they qualified, they had a lot of injuries, they didn’t qualify the Champions League the following season and they will be a contender for the top four, top five by the end."

Guardiola confirms two new injuries

Rodri isn't the only Man City player who'll be missing today, it seems, with Pep confirming that Manuel Akanji set for surgery after limping off in their 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Jack Grealish is also a doubt, with Guardiola seeming downbeat on his hopes of making the game after he too picked up a knock in midweek.

"Manuel will have surgery on Saturday and eight-10 weeks out. It's an adductor injury. I just wish him a speedy recovery because the effort he has put in this season has been unbelievable. He and Nathan [Ake] have played in difficult positions.

"There has been a lack of players in that position and his body has said enough is enough. I don’t know if Jack will be ready tomorrow, I don't think he will be, but we will assess him in the next hours."