Vincent Kompany misses Manchester City's Watford trip as Pep Guardiola eyes EFL Cup return and tells out-of-favour Yaya Toure: 'I need you'

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Vincent Kompany is back training with Manchester City but will miss his third consecutive game with a calf injury.

Kompany picked up a knock while away on international duty with Belgium, his 15th calf problem in five years.

He will not be ready for the trip to Watford on Saturday, with Pep Guardiola looking towards next week's EFL Cup clash at West Brom for a return.

Vincent Kompany will miss Saturday's game at Waford with his 15th calf problem in five years

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola plans to bring Kompany back at West Brom next week

'Vinnie came back and trained with us. I think in the next days he will be able to play again,' Guardiola said on Friday.

The boss also told Yaya Toure that City 'need' him back in the first-team fold after revealing on Tuesday that the midfielder knows why he has been left out.

'I need him - we need him,' Guardiola added. 'He was so important last season. He'll be so important this season. I admire him. What he's done in his career is exceptional.

'All the teams that play in Europe have a lot of games every three days. Until the next intentional break there are many many games to play.

'I'll discuss the line-up with our staff. Next Wednesday is a final for us away at West Brom. In the League and Champions League there are a lot of games. I think everyone will be involved.'

Guardiola has told Yaya Toure (centre) that he is needed as an important player this season

Spaniard Guardiola said of Toure: 'I admire him. What he's done in his career is exceptional'