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Pep Guardiola will press ahead with plans to sign a world class centre back this summer - despite Vincent Kompany re-establishing himself as a rock at the heart of Manchester City's defence.

Kompany started his fifth successive game in the

- after three years beset by injury.

Guardiola believes the Belgian international has made a major breakthrough following the calf and muscular problems that have plagued him. But he concedes he cannot gamble on the City captain’s fitness next season.

Leonardo Bonucci, Virgil van Dijk and Aymeric Laporte are on the list of centre backs Guardiola is considering in a summer when he plans to overhaul his defence.

He went into this season prepared to give Kompany the chance to prove he was over his fitness problems.

But another injury-ravaged campaign had seen the 31-year-old fail to complete two successive games at any point before his current run.

It was vintage Kompany against Palace - even getting on the score sheet for the second time in four appearances.

But Guardiola admits there remain serious doubts about his ability to last an entire campaign.

“I think when he is in that form there is no doubt,” said the City manager. “But we have to cover our backs.

“We cannot give all our confidence he will be fit because of what we have experienced the last few years. We have to have back ups if something happens.”

Kompany’s form is testament to his strength of character after so many setbacks in recent years.

It is also a reminder that when fit, he remains a centre back of the highest order.

And after five straight starts, he has convinced Guardiola that he can be a part of his plans going forward.

After fears he had been mentally scarred by the toll of his injuries - Guardiola believes the defender has overcome a significant hurdle.

“It was a huge step,” he said. “When we spoke at the beginning of the season we said, ‘The first step is don’t put pressure on. Be able to train regularly and play one game.

“‘After that game, another one and after that, another one.’”

“And he did it and for 90 minutes. And the last time that happened was a long, long time ago.

“I’m pretty sure Manuel Pellegrini missed him a lot the last two seasons - and of course we missed him.

“He is a real central defender.

“I said many times - central defenders, ‘How many duels do you win with the striker?’

“‘More than the other one? You are a central defender.’

“And he wins.

“You to feel it. When the opponent crosses the ball ‘Wow, it’s Vinny there.’

“Maybe you know they are going to score a goal. With Vinny against Arsenal they scored a goal in the six-yard box. Okay that can happen.

“But you have the feeling when they cross or you cross with a corner or a free kick you are there.

“That feeling - especially in this league when there are a lot of long balls - it is a really important thing.

“In other leagues it does not happen. It’s important to have people to win duels in the air.”

Kompany’s goals are just an added bonus.

His sweetly struck shot just after time prompted Guardiola to muse: “Today we discovered, maybe he can play striker.”