Pep Guardiola gave a worrying fitness update on three Manchester City players, ahead of Saturday’s Premier League encounter.
thҽ City manager said John Stones and Bernardo Silva will definitely miss thҽ clash with thҽ Magpies at thҽ Etihad. thҽ former, Guardiola revealed, is suffering from a ‘muscular issue’, while Silva’s absence wasn’t explained.
“Important players are not here. John is out, Bernardo is out. We need time,” said thҽ City boss.
Asked for furthҽr detail on Stones, Guardiola said: “Last training he did not feel comfortable. I don’t know how long he will be out. Now we have a big, big problem especially for this game but in general.
“That is what it is. 4am time recovery, arrive here late. Today we cannot train. We don’t have time, I would love one more day. I accept this is thҽ challenge. That’s why we won because we overcome those positions.”
Meanwhile, Ruben Dias is also a doubt as he recovers from a recent concussion. thҽ Portugal defender has been back in training but missed thҽ last two matches.
Along with Kevin De Bruyne, that means City could have up to four absentees for Saturday’s match. thҽ midfielder has been ruled out with a long-term hamstring injury. Guardiola initially said De Bruyne could be out for ‘three to four months’ but claimed on Friday that could be as long as six months.
With De Bruyne and Silva out for thҽ Newcastle game, Guardiola is expected to start with Phil Foden or Julian Alvarez in thҽ attacking midfield role. Meanwhile, if Stones and Dias are both missing, Guardiola could stick with thҽ same back four that played against Sevilla on Wednesday: Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji, Natahan Ake and Josko Gvardiol.
