Bacary Sagna has refuted Manuel Pellegrini’s claims that Manchester City lost at Stoke due to tiredness.

The Manchester City manager asserted that one of the main reasons of his side’s 2-0 defeat at the Britannia is that their large number of injuries has placed too much physical demand on fit players.

However, Sagna, who has made 22 appearances for City this season, denies the team are underperforming because of this.

The 32-year-old said: “The amount of games is not an excuse, because we have everything around us to make our life easy.

“I am not scared of playing many games and am ready to give my maximum.”

The France international also spoke of his concern over his own display on Saturday.

“If I look at my last performance I can’t be pleased. I know I have to improve, to step up and I am ready for that,” the defender added.

Yaya Toure is back in the squad for the visit of Borussia Monchengladbach, though Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero are still absent from the side. Eliaquim Mangala is back after missing the trip to Stoke due to suspension.