Man City boost as Fernandinho, De Bruyne and Stones near return ahead of hectic April

PEP GUARDIOLA is hoping for a triple injury boost ahead of a hectic April for his Manchester City glory hunters.

The Etihad chief returned to training after a week off yesterday to learn Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones are all nearing a return.

And he will monitor them at the City Football Academy over the course of this week to see if they can be fit for Saturday’s trip to Fulham.

Fernandinho injured his groin in the Carabao Cup final triumph over Chelsea in late February and has not featured since.

De Bruyne felt his hamstring at Bournemouth in early March while Stones picked up a groin problem the same day.

The centre back returned to the bench before the international break but was not deemed fit enough to play – or go away with England.

Saturday’s game at Craven Cottage is the first of nine fixtures in 29 days across three different competitions for Guardiola’s men.

So their return to contention will be a timely one for the City boss whose team are still eyeing a quadruple.

City managed to win all the games while the key players were on the sidelines.

But the manager will need all the options he has over the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, full-back Benjamin Mendy is also making good progress in his return from a long-term knee problem.

But the £49.3 million French defender has featured only once since the middle of November and is not likely to be rushed back.