Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that "it is so difficult" to leave playmaker Bernardo Silva out of the first-team picture.

The 23-year-old arrived from Monaco in a £43m transfer during the summer and was expected to go straight into Guardiola's plans.

Silva has instead had to remain patient, however, starting just three Premier League games all season and two in the Champions League.

Ahead of Wednesday evening's meeting with Shakhtar Donetsk, which the Portuguese looks certain to play a part in, Guardiola explained his reasons behind overlooking the summer recruit.

"Leroy [Sane] needed time to adapt a bit - to the way we play," he told reporters. "Bernardo doesn't - he believes and is ready to play. It's because I decide [that he doesn't]. My feeling is that he's playing at a high level.

"Leroy was not confident at the start of last season, he didn't believe how good he was. Bernardo is very good. It's so difficult to leave him out. Bernardo is in the same situation as Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero.

"He's able to play and has amazing quality and personality. He is not scared. It doesn't matter where he plays. But other players are on top form."

Sane, Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and namesake David have blocked versatile midfielder Silva's route into the starting lineup.