Pellegrini: I'm not punishing Kompany after he played for Belgium

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said he isn't punishing captain Vincent Kompany for playing through an injury with Belgium earlier this month.

Kompany hasn't started a match for his club since the 6-1 win over Newcastle on Oct. 3. He has struggled with a calf injury over the past two months but still opted to join his country, playing 58 minutes of Belgium's final Euro 2016 qualifier against Israel.

Related: Vincent Kompany risks the ire of gaffer Manuel Pellegrini by playing for Belgium

The 29-year-old centre-back isn't guaranteed a place in City's lineup for Sunday's derby against Manchester United, but Pellegrini said it comes down to tactics.

"I'm not punishing Vincent, I have no problem. Every week I have to choose the starting XI best for that game, exactly the same for every player," Pellegrini told reporters.

The manager added he isn't convinced Kompany is even back to full fitness yet.

"After one month or five weeks without playing or without training, you must be fit but you are not ready to play in important games," Pellegrini said.

Kompany appeared as a substitute in stoppage time of the second half against Sevilla in the Champions League this week, but it did little to inspire the confidence of the veterans on the squad.