Pep Guardiola has said Leroy Sane must face down the challenge posed within Manchester City's deep and talented squad if he is to win back his starting place with the Premier League champions.
City have made a strong, unbeaten start to their title defence but German international Sane, voted the young player-of-the-year last season in England, has yet to start a game.
He has played just 30 minutes, spread over three substitute appearances, for Guardiola, following a pre-season in which he was surprisingly omitted from Germany's World Cup squad.
Sane also missed a Germany international last week due to "personal reasons" reported to be connected with the birth of his daughter, while Germany legend Toni Kroos questioned his team-mate's attitude and "body language".
Manchester City manager Guardiola defended his winger from those accusations and insisted Sane will have a vital part to play in the champions' season, which continues at home to Fulham on Saturday.
- 'So important' -
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"It's a challenge for all of them and it's a challenge for me, the manager, to keep the level and it's a challenge for the players to keep their level and compete with their mates. It's the only way to maintain the level we achieved last season."
- Foden 'ready for England' -
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