Marcelo Bielsa expects Manchester City to resolve striker situation ahead of Leeds United test

Pep Guardiola's side will head to Saturday evening's Premier League clash at Elland Road without the club's two main strikers with Aguero continuing to recover from knee surgery and Jesus also out with a muscular problem and both facing around another month out.

Guardiola has highlighted 17-year-old Liam Delap and 18-year-old Cole Palmer as alternative striker options but Sterling, more often deployed as an attacking midfielder or a winger, started in the no 9 role in last weekend's surprise 5-2 loss at home to Leicester City.

Sterling then once again started as the lone striker in City's midweek Carabao Cup clash at Burnley in which the England international bagged a brace and also an assist for new signing Ferran Torres.

Asked about City being without a recognised striker and if them playing with a false no 9 could suit Leeds tactically, Bielsa said: "I think that Sterling is a great attacker, playing out wide or through the middle.

"He’s a goalscorer. So I don’t think it’s a problem that City won’t resolve."

Reflecting on the absence of Aguero, Bielsa added: "Good players, and Aguero is a good player, are always helpful for a team.

"I would say the same thing about Jesus and the same thing about Sterling."

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Thank you Laura Collins