Pep Guardiola praying for injury-free international break as fixture pile-up threatens Man City’s quadruple bid

PEP GUARDIOLA will pray his stars come back unscathed from the international break ready for a “crazy” April at the Etihad.

Manchester City could face 14 matches in seven weeks from the end of this month — if they get through the next round of two cups.

EPA

Pep Guardiola is praying his Man City squad comes through the international break injury-free[/caption]

Guardiola currently has five players on the treatment table while 14 will play for their countries.

He knows his hopes of a Quadruple hinge on keeping key players fit — and will look to a higher power during the ten-day break.

Guardiola said: “Pray, yeah. Pray to come back fit. That is what I want.

“They have to go there, play with their national team, enjoy, help their own national teams but hopefully they will come back fit.”

Reuters

John Stones is one of a handful of players on City’s treatment table[/caption]

Reaching the FA Cup semi-finals means City have to rearrange the Premier League fixture with Cardiff.

The Etihad chief said: “It’s crazy, the fixtures we have in April, that is why we need everybody.”

Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones and Benjamin Mendy are among the injured men, while Fernandinho is unavailable until after the international break.

City return with crucial games against Fulham and Cardiff before starting their Champions League push.

Guardiola’s men travel to Tottenham before hosting the quarter-final second leg on April 17.