Pep Guardiola says he never contemplated recalling Tosin Adarabioyo this month – but has offered some long-term hope to the Rovers loanee.

Adarabioyo has impressed during his time at Ewood Park and has been a regular in the heart of the defence having spent last season playing right back for West Brom.

City had the option to recall the 22-year-old from his loan spell in January, and have been hit with a number of injury worries at the back this season.

But Guardiola revealed there had never been conversations about Adarabioyo going back to the Etihad and was happy to see him playing regularly for Rovers.

And he says that will stand him in good stead for the long run and when it comes to deciding his longer-term future.

Joleon Lescott, one of City’s loan manager’s, is regularly in contact with Adarabioyo, and Rovers, about his progress.

Asked about whether he considered recalling Adarabioyo, Guardiola said: “This season, no. Laporte, Dinho (Fernandinho), John (Stones), Nico (Otamendi), Eric (Garcia) working with us - and has played good.

“You can get injuries, Laporte and John were but this season he’s okay.

“I haven’t paid (attention to him) regularly but the people who follow our loan players have.

“In the last part of the season we’ll talk about the conditions, if it’s possible – depends on our ideas for next season.

“Maybe it could be an option but we have four plus Eric plus Taylor (Harwood-Bellis). He’s playing regularly. Aro Muric has not played much (on loan at Nottingham Forest), Tosin has played so we'll see.”

Adarabioyo holds a long-term ambition of becoming a regular for City in the Premier League but believes he is benefitting from his time at Rovers where he has played 21 times.

“My head has always been focused on here,” he said earlier this month.

“I’ve only just been thinking about this club and getting the right results.”