Pep Guardiola is confident his coronavirus-hit Manchester City squad will still be able to compete against Chelsea this weekend.

City will be without five players for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Stamford Bridge following positive Covid-19 tests.

Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus returned positive tests on Christmas Day along with two other members of the club’s first-team staff.

Three more players then tested positive on Monday, prompting the postponement of their game at Everton.

The identity of the trio has not been revealed but their absences are undoubtedly a blow with Guardiola suggesting Academy players could make up the numbers for the trip to west London.

Nevertheless, the City boss still expects a strong showing from those he can call upon.

Guardiola said: “We have a good enough squad to go there and try to compete against a tough opponent in Chelsea.

“We know how it is and we are going there to play our game, with enthusiasm and good will to try to get a result and do a good performance.

The Spaniard added that: “Since the beginning (of the season) we spoke about this, so no more comments.

“We have nine games in 27 days and after maybe eight or nine in the second one (February), so don’t think too much.

“We’ll play every game with the players we have and compete as good as possible and do as best as we can. Now we don’t think about what is not good for the players.

“They love to do this, we are going to accept it.”