Mahrez was drug-tested this week to clear up medication uncertainty – Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has revealed Riyad Mahrez was drug-tested this week to clear up any uncertainty over medication he was administered while on international duty.Manchester City boss Guardiola left Algeria forward Mahrez out of his squad for the Community Shield last weekend as a precaution in case he was called for testing at Wembley.Mahrez, 28, underwent a minor procedure to aid his breathing after helping Algeria win the Africa Cup of Nations last month. Citys medical staff did not have full details of all the treatment prior to Sundays game and did not think he should be risked.But the club have now cleared up the matter and Mahrez will be available for Saturdays Premier League opener at West Ham.Guardiola said: He had a little surgery after the African Cup on his nose so he could breathe better.Its a normal situation (but) the doctor, not from the national team, didnt send the necessary (information). That was the only reason why (he did not play). We didnt have it in the right moment. View this post on Instagram Back to work #leszhommesA post shared by RM26 (@riyadmahrez26.7) on Aug 6, 2019 at 6:39am PDTIt was a precaution, we had to be careful. It was better not to use him.But after the last week, anti-doping have made the test, everything is clear and everything is fine. He can play.Mahrez had a mixed first season at the Etihad Stadium after his then-club-record 60million move to City from Leicester in the summer of 2018.A FOURMIDABLE display at West Ham last time we visited #mancity pic.twitter.com/1zFgX6kimk Manchester City (@ManCity) August 9, 2019With competition for places from the likes of Leroy Sane, Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, he struggled to command a regular place.After this weeks news that Sane is facing a lengthy lay-off with a knee injury, however, Mahrez may get more opportunities to step up.Guardiola said: The quality (we get) from Leroy we dont have it (without him). A little bit Sterling has it but the special quality of Leroy you cant find it around the world, that attacking the space, that speed.A little setback but you will come back stronger bro, no doubt. @LeroySane19 pic.twitter.com/vYsBdZ1jTx Riyad Mahrez (@Mahrez22) August 8, 2019Riyad has another (quality), so hes not a substitute for Leroy. My opinion during the first few games, the performance of Riyad, I was quite impressed. He didnt play too much because in his position was one of the best players in the league in Bernardo and of course Sterling.But with Leroy absent, we have more space and a lot of games, one less forward player, so he is going to play. The way they are training, Ill try to let everyone play.(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
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