Stoke vs. Manchester City: Pep Guardiola's Key Pre-Match Press Conference Quotes

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed he will allow goalkeeper Joe Hart to leave the club should he request it but insisted the Englishman is still a valuable player. 

Hart's long-term future at the Etihad Stadium has been thrown into serious doubt recently with reports indicating that City are set to replace him with Barcelona's Claudio Bravo as Guardiola is not convinced of his No. 1's ball-playing abilities, per BBC Sport's David Ornstein and Simon Stone.

Speaking ahead of City's Premier League visit to Stoke City on Saturday, Guardiola said he is sure Hart, 29, can improve if he opts to remain at the club, but he admitted he would let him leave should he want to, per the Manchester Evening News' James Robson:

The Spanish manager also commented on Yaya Toure, who was left out of the City squad for their edgy 2-1 home win against Sunderland on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, and the 5-0 drubbing of Steaua Bucharest in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

Per the Guardian's Jamie Jackson, Guardiola—who sold Toure to City when he was in charge at Barcelona—strongly hinted that the midfielder will only be included when he begins to work harder:

He also indicated there would be no significant changes for the match against the Potters as he has been impressed with the way his side have performed in their first two competitive matches of the season, per Rohan Banerjee in the Mirror: "Now is not the time to change [the team] a lot, I am really impressed with how intelligent they are. We play at a high level."

The same front six of Sergio Aguero, Nolito, Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Fernandinho played the opening two games, while there were slight changes in the defensive four in front of goalkeeper Willy Caballero.

Per Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe, it is at the back where City look weakest:

Guardiola also revealed that new signing Leroy Sane is nearing full fitness, per Banerjee: "Sane trained with us today, I think in one or two weeks he will be ready. Bacary (Sagna) has a little problem but not too big."

The news on Vincent Kompany was also positive, although the defender is still some way from being available for first-team selection, per Belgian football writer Kristof Terreur:

City lost 2-0 to Stoke at the Britannia Stadium in the Premier League last term and have a challenge on their hands to pick up another three points on Saturday given how historically difficult the Potters are to face at home.

The midweek thrashing of Steaua will have given Guardiola's side huge confidence, though, which could make a telling difference.