Pep Guardiola keeping tabs on Real Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez as he weighs up his January plans

PEP GUARDIOLA has been keeping tabs on Real Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez as he weighs up his January plans.

The Spanish centre back, 26, was linked with a move to Manchester City in summer but a move never materialised.

However City scouts have continued to monitor his performances for Sociedad during the first few months of the season.

And the hamstring injury which will keep John Stones out for much of the rest of the calendar year highlights how short they are in his position.

Much depends on Vincent Kompany’s latest comeback from injury as to how hard Citypursue a new centre back in the New Year.

But Martinez looks likely to come into the reckoning if they do - particularly as he can also play at left-back. Guardiola has been playing Fabian Delph there most weeks since the cruciate injury suffered by Benjamin Mendy in September.

The France international is likely to miss much of the rest of the season - although there is optimism he will play again before May. He posted on social media this week that he is making good progress and is still hopeful of making the World Cup.

To do that he would need to play at least the final few weeks of the season for his club - and there is a confidence at the Etihad he can do that.

From The Sun