Get the day's biggest City stories delivered straight to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Vincent Kompany has been assured of his Manchester City future - despite Pep Guardiola targeting Aymeric Laporte and John Stones this summer.

Kompany will miss the start of next season after undergoing surgery on a thigh injury.

But it is understood Guardiola still sees the Belgian as a key part of his plans - and is prepared to give him chance to prove he can overcome the fitness problems that dogged him over the past two seasons.

Kompany has been struck down by a host of calf injuries - but believed he had found a way to manage them following his latest return in February.

But he suffered a cruel blow when breaking down with a thigh problem 10 minutes into the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid last month.

That means he will miss the start of Guardiola’s reign at the Etihad.

Still, the Belgian international’s influence at City has not been underestimated by the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager.

Despite identifying Laporte and Stones as players to build his defence around, he believes Kompany still has much to offer at the age of 30.

With Jason Denayer also returning from a season-long loan at Galatasaray, Guardiola feels he will have enough strength in depth to give his captain time to recover - even with Eliaquim Mangala expected to be sold.