Man City fans sent warning ahead of Southampton clash as police descend close to Etihad

Police have issued a warning to fans attending vs after cordoning off an area not far from City's Etihad Stadium.

The reigning champions are due to host winless Saints in a 3pm kick-off on Saturday. However, those travelling to the ground via the Ashton Canal by Clayton Lane - around a mile from the stadium - have been told to go a different way.

"We are currently responding to an incident on Clayton Lane near to the canal with other emergency services," a GMP Manchester East statement on read. "For those attending the #MCFC fixture soon please be aware a scene is in place, and you will have to seek an alternative route towards the Etihad Stadium."

A cordon has been set up around the location, while a forensics tent is also in place. According to the , officers were called to the scene after an item was found in the canal.

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City will return to the top of the Premier League table with a win, as rivals prepare to face on Sunday. However, Pep Guardiola's side will be without a number of senior stars including Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and .

“For one game or two games it’s fine,” Guardiola said of the injury issues. “Now we have a tough period after each game we have four days or three days to [after ], how difficult and demanding that is. We go to Lisbon after three days and then come back and go to . With just 14/15 players of course I am [concerned].

“I said last season it would not be easy to win four in a row. This is the challenge. Every season there is difficulty, we had injuries in the past like we had last season unfortunately with Rodri. It is what it is. The perfect scenario never exists in sport.”

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Visitors Southampton have yet to win since returning to the Premier League as winners of the Championship play-off final. They were beaten home and away by City en route to relegation in 2022-23, with four different players on target in City's 4-0 win at the Etihad Stadium.

Saints manager Russell Martin is also missing a number of first-teamers. Will Smallbone is out after playing through the pain barrier against last time out, while former City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is out until the new year.

City boss Guardiola has handed a rare Premier League start to Matheus Nunes after the midfielder impressed against Sparta Prague in the . The visitors have former City youngster Taylor Harwood-Bellis at the heart of their defence following his £20m summer move.

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