Guardiola on why Tosin Adarabioyo was not recalled to help centre back problem

Pep Guardiola did not consider recalling Tosin Adarabioyo from his loan at Blackburn to help out with Manchester City's centre back crisis.

The Blues boss has been without Aymeric Laporte for four months, and the French defender is still a doubt for Sunday's trip to Tottenham after suffering with fatigue following his comeback against Sheffield United last week.

Six ft five ins Adarabioyo has been getting rave reviews for the Championship club, showing some quality passing skills as well as being a commanding presence in defence.

City's loans officer Joleon Lescott has been feeding positive reports about the 22-year-old Manchester-born player to the City coaching and analysis staff.

And Adarabioyo made it plain this month that his ambitions lie at the Etihad Stadium – and he even envisaged being skipper in five years time!

City have suffered this season with Laporte absent, and John Stones also sidelined for long periods, while Stones and Nicolas Otamendi have also suffered periods of poor form.

They have promoted Eric Garcia and Taylor Harwood-Bellis from the junior ranks to cover, but Guardiola has been reluctant to use the youngsters in crucial games.

But he said that recalling Adarabioyo had not been an option.

When asked about it, he replied: “This season, no. Laporte, Dinho, John, Nico, Eric working with us - and has played good.

“You can get injuries, Laporte and John were but this season he's OK.”

Guardiola did offer Adarabioyo some hope by saying he will review his situation at the end of the season.

“I haven't paid (attention to him) regularly but the people who follow our loan players have,” he said.

“In the last part of the season we'll talk about the conditions, if it's possible – depends on our ideas for next season.

“Maybe it could be an option but we have four plus Eric plus Taylor. He's playing regularly. Aro Muric has not played much (on loan at Nottingham Forest), Tosin has played so we'll see.”