Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola  has revealed that Riyad Mahrez  was drug-tested this week to clear up any uncertainty over medication he was administered while on international duty.

Guardiola left Algeria forward Mahrez out of his squad for the Community Shield last weekend as a precaution in case he was called for testing at Wembley.

Mahrez, 28, underwent a minor procedure to aid his breathing after helping Algeria win the Africa Cup of Nations last month. City’s medical staff did not have full details of all the treatment prior to Sunday’s game and did not think he should be risked.

But the club have now cleared up the matter and Mahrez will be available for Saturday’s Premier League opener at West Ham.

Guardiola said: “He had a little surgery after the African Cup on his nose so he could breathe better.

“It’s a normal situation (but) the doctor, not from the national team, didn’t send the necessary (information). That was the only reason why (he did not play). We didn’t have it in the right moment.

“It was a precaution, we had to be careful. It was better not to use him.

“But after the last week, anti-doping have made the test, everything is clear and everything is fine. He can play.”

Mahrez had a mixed first season at the Etihad Stadium after his then-club-record £60million move to City from Leicester in the summer of 2018.

After this week’s news that Sane is facing a lengthy lay-off with a knee injury, however, Mahrez may get more opportunities to step up.

Guardiola said: “The quality (we get) from Leroy we don’t have it (without him). A little bit Sterling has it but the special quality of Leroy you can’t find it around the world, that attacking the space, that speed.