Pep keeps defensive plans under wraps

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola took the unusual step of keeping all his defensive players away from the cameras as his team prepare for a crucial Champions League game against Paris St-Germain.

Only 12 senior players were on show in the 15-minute section of training that has to be open to the media under Uefa rules.

These included new signings Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov, though neither is eligible to play in the final two first phase matches.

Also among the dozen were youngsters Jacob Wright and Divin Mubama.

It meant Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Rico Lewis, Matheus Nunes, Nico O'Reilly and James McAtee of the players who featured in Sunday's 6-0 win at Ipswich were not involved.

Injured pair Nathan Ake and John Stones were not present either, while Kyle Walker was also missing as he finalises a move to AC Milan.

It is not known whether the players joined the session after the media had left.

The move comes as City look to preserve their Champions League future and avoid a calamitous exit from the competition before the knockout phase.