Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has welcomed the prospect of key players returning from injury as his side look to sustain a challenge on multiple fronts, including the Premier League, he said in an interview with the club’s official website.

While Guardiola admitted he would prefer City to be setting the pace at the top of the table, he remains satisfied with his team staying within striking distance of leaders Arsenal. City travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday knowing they sit two points behind the Gunners in the Premier League.

City are also well positioned in Europe. Despite sitting fourth in the Champions League standings, Guardiola’s side are just five points behind Arsenal and remain on course for automatic qualification to the round of 16 by securing a top-eight finish.

“I’d prefer to be 10 points clear of everyone, but it is what it is,” Guardiola said on Friday. “Arsenal are doing really well, but we are there. It’s still the end of December.

“In the Champions League, we are up there, and in the Premier League we are there as well. We’re in the semi-finals of the League Cup, and the FA Cup is starting soon.

“Some important players are coming back, so step by step, game by game, we’ll see what happens.”

One of those players could be influential midfielder Rodri, who has been sidelined since early November with a hamstring injury. Guardiola confirmed the Spaniard could feature against Forest.

“Rodri is much, much better,” he said. “Whether he’s available or not, we’ll decide today.”

However, Guardiola added that Jeremy Doku and John Stones are still not ready to return, although both are expected to be back in the near future.