GONZALEZ IS CENTRAL TO PEP'S PLANS

THE MIDDLE MAN City's Nico Gonzalez

- BY ALEX JAMES

NICO GONZALEZ has been backed by Pep Guardiola to scale new heights at Manchester City - because the midfielder is willing to improve.

Gonzalez is in line to start against Bournemouth with Guardiola stating that the 23-year-old is the best option in the middle of the park when Rodri is not fit.

And while Rodri is set to return to the squad for the Etihad encounter, the City talisman is unlikely to be thrown straight into the starting lineup given his recent injury struggles.