Manchester City have changed their training schedule this week after Nottingham Forest nearly caught them high and dry by not watering the pitch.
Pep Guardiola was critical of the surface after City's last away game, commenting wryly that the home side may have taken their chances if the ball had rolled better.
And with memory of last season's difficult trip to Fulham at the front of the City manager's mind, he had the players train this week on a pitch that was specifically dry, in case they have to face that surface again.
Premier League rules stipulate that the grass cannot exceed 30mm in length, although Guardiola has the grass at the Etihad cut to 21mm to maximise his team's chances of winning the game.
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