Guardiola cancels Christmas to focus on Hull City

(Reuters) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will not give his players a holiday over Christmas as he wants to ensure they are fully prepared for Monday's Premier League away game against bottom club Hull City. Guardiola, whose team are third and seven points behind leaders Chelsea, said he consulted his players before making the decision. “They gave me good advice about what it means to play at Hull City on Boxing Day,” he told a news conference on Friday. “We will train tomorrow (Saturday) and on the 25th and then take the bus to Hull in the afternoon. We will prepare as if it were not Christmas.” Captain Vincent Kompany, who has not played since mid-November, is still out with a knee injury, while defender Pablo Zabaleta will have to take a late fitness test after sustaining an injury in the 2-1 win over Arsenal. Striker Sergio Aguero will serve the final game of a four-match ban, while midfielder Fernandinho has served his three-match ban. “What I have learnt in my short time here is that the gap between the top 10 teams and the bottom 10 is not that big,” said Guardiola. “Other people told me before I arrived how complicated all the games are, so I don't expect easy games. We have to be prepared. It's my first year here.” Hull have started quite well. Of course the situation is not good, but I have seen many, many games and they are a special team.” (Reporting by Simon Jennings in Bengaluru; editing by Brian Homewood)