PEP'S READY TO SCALE HEIGHTS

Boss admits he's put on pounds but backs his 'disciplined' stars to stay focused

- BY JIM VAN WIJK

MANCHESTER CITY boss Pep Guardiola admits he has probably put on a few pounds over Christmas - but knows his players will have remained "incredibly disciplined".

With the 3-0 win over West Ham leaving them just two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, Guardiola has them weighed and then warned them not to overindulge at Christmas.

City head to Nottingham Forest for today's lunchtime kickoff, after which they could be back at the summit themselves before the Gunners host Brighton.

"I [weigh] four or five kilos more for the amount of food and drinks that I have drunk, so it is really good," said Guardiola, who "absolutely" let himself have some time to switch off.

The City, boss, though, fully expects the players to have their focus where it needs to be.

"They have been incredibly disciplined since 10 years ago," Guardiola said.