Riyad Mahrez cleared to play for Man City at West Ham after shock drug scare
RIYAD MAHREZ has been cleared to play at West Ham today after his drugs scare.
And boss Pep Guardiola says the way is also open for the £60million Algerian to make an impact after Leroy Sane’s injury.
Mahrez was pulled out of last Sunday’s Community Shield clash with Liverpool amid fears he would fail a doping test.
He had surgery on a sinus issue and took some medication while on Africa Cup of Nations duty so City felt it was safer to leave him out.
However anti-doping testers visited City’s training ground during the week and declared he has nothing to worry about ahead of this weekend.
Guardiola said: “Riyad had a little surgery on his nose so he could breathe better. That’s a normal situation.
“The doctor there didn’t send what was necessary — and that was the only reason why he didn’t play.
“But during the week anti-doping did the test, Everything is clear and fine and he can play.
“Every time you take something you have to inform the club and make the lists.
“Our doctors came to me and said they did not exactly know.
“Because he did it in Algeria it was a precaution, we had to be careful.”
Mahrez, 28, had a tricky first season at the Etihad after making a then club-record move from Leicester in July 2018.
He struggled to get games ahead of Bernardo Silva and Sane, but he has been promised more opportunities this term. The cruciate ligament problem, which will keep the German winger sidelined until well into the New Year, opens things up for him.
Guardiola added: “The quality, that speed we get from Leroy — you cannot find it anywhere around the world.
“Riyad doesn’t have it, he’s not a substitute for Leroy. But from what I saw during the summer, I was quite impressed.
“He didn’t play too much last season because of Bernardo and Sterling but with Leroy absent we have more spaces.”
Sane, 23, will head for Barcelona next week and will go under the knife on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Guardiola’s preferred surgeon, Dr Ramon Cugat, will carry out the procedure and City hope he will return in February.
City’s boss said: “Normally this kind of ACL injury is six or seven months. So hopefully in February or March he can be back with us.
“It’s bad news but he’s young and he will recover well.
“In three years we’ve had three ACL’s with Ilkay Gundogan and Benjamin Mendy.”
City’s players have decided David Silva will be the new captain — replacing Vincent Kompany — for what will be his final season at the Etihad.
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Guardiola revealed Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero will also wear the armband on occasions.
He added: “David’s one decade here, knows the Premier League and has big respect.
“In the locker room are nice guys, they know each other, they laugh a lot. It will not be a problem. He will be a good captain.”
