Middlesbrough vs. Manchester City: Pep Guardiola's Key FA Cup Presser Quotes

Pep Guardiola has insisted that on-loan goalkeeper Joe Hart remains a Manchester City player and a decision will be made on his future at the end of the season. 

Currently on loan at Italian side Torino, England international Hart recently said he feels he is now "surplus to requirements" at City after the summer arrival of Claudio Bravo and recent promotion to No. 1 of Willy Caballero, per the BBC's Premier League Show (via BBC Sport).

He hinted that he will now look to move away from City in a bid for first-team action. But Sky Blues manager Guardiola suggested ahead of his side's clash with Middlesbrough on Saturday that Hart could still have a future at the Etihad Stadium, per BBC Sport's Simon Stone:

City visit Boro for the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at the Riverside Stadium as the Spanish manager goes in search of his first piece of silverware as Sky Blues boss.

Captain Vincent Kompany could play a part for the first time since late January after Guardiola confirmed the Belgian centre-back has returned to training, per ESPN FC's Ben Dinnery:

Aitor Karanka's Middlesbrough side are in the Premier League's relegation zone and have struggled for goals in the English top flight all season, netting just 19 goals in 27 matches.

However, their form in the FA Cup has been much better as the north-east side have scored three times in two of their three victories in the competition this season.

Guardiola made it clear he is aware of the threat posed by Boro, picking out their defence as a key strength and praising goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who previously played under him at Barcelona, per City's Twitter feed:

City have more than enough attacking strength to break Boro's back line down, though, and Guardiola is clearly very motivated by the prospect of reaching a Wembley semi-final:

The Sky Blues were held to a 0-0 draw by Stoke City in the Premier League on Wednesday, so they will be eager to start fast and get an early goal against Boro.

But, assuming Guardiola puts out a strong team, City should have too much quality for the hosts to handle on Saturday if they put in a good performance.