The midfielder is still struggling with the injury he picked up ahead of our Champions League quarter-final clash with Porto last month and Tuchel confirmed at his pre-match press conference that tomorrow’s visit to the Etihad will come too soon for the Croatian.

Kovacic, Tuchel added, remains our only absentee however.

‘In terms of the injury list, it does not change much,’ Tuchel stated.

‘We still have training to go later today where things could change but right now, everyone is ready apart from Kova.

‘Kova is unfortunately still out. We hope to bring him back for the game against Arsenal and then hopefully for Wembley [FA Cup final v Leicester].‘It will be tight for the Arsenal game but for tomorrow, for sure, he is will be out. Everyone else is available for tomorrow’s match.’

The Blues defeated City in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley in what was our most recent meeting with Pep Guardiola’s side, with tomorrow’s meeting acting as a dress rehearsal for the Champions League final at the end of May.

Chelsea impressed against the Citizens at Wembley and Tuchel was asked if he would adopt the same tactical approach when the game gets underway in Manchester tomorrow.

The boss didn’t give too much away on that front but he did hint that we could see changes from our midweek victory over Real Madrid.

‘We haven't totally decided yet,’ said Thomas about his tactical plans for tomorrow.

‘We have one day less to recover and it's away game, so we are travelling today and that's a key factor at this time of the season.

‘I imagine we'll need some fresh legs and fresh minds, guys who want to show they deserve a chance in a big fixture.

‘Whether there will be new stuff tactically I don't know. I haven't decided yet. I have to look at who is available after training today. There is a high possibility we will see some changes.’