John Stones returned to the bench for Manchester City in their 1-0 win over Chelsea and Pep Guardiola confirmed that the 27-year-old is nearing a return to the starting eleven after spending the season on the sidelines – Stones has yet to make an appearance for City this campaign.
The England international was an unsued substitute in the 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, failed to make the matchday squad in the 5-0 win over Norwich City, was an unused substitute in the 5-0 win over Arsenal and 1-0 win over Leicester City, failed to make the matchday squad in the 0-0 draw with Southampton and was an unused substitute in the 1-0 win over Chelsea.