By Michael Ogbue
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, is reeling even more as the club’s injury list continues to grow after he revealed Ruben Dias and John Stones picked up injuries in the 2-1 loss at Bournemouth.
Ahead of that game, City were already without Rodri, Oscar Bobb and Kevin De Bruyne who are nursing long-term injuries. Also, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku and Kyle Walker are unlikely to return before the international break.
New recruit, Savinho, as well as defenders, Josko Gvardiol and Manuel Akanji, were doubts for City’s trip to the south coast. Gvardiol later featured and scored City’s consolation on Saturday.
“[Stones and Dias] are injured. Ruben until the international break will be injured. John – I don’t know if he’ll be back for the next two games,” Guardiola stated in the post-match conference.
He praised Nathan Ake and Akanji for playing through the pain barrier, but admitted he has to accept playing with some of the back-up players who are not in rhythm having not played in a while.
“I’m really pleased for the incredible effort from Nathan [Ake], I asked him this morning and I asked him. He said he wanted to try. Struggle this season with problem in his feet,” Guardiola stated.
The City boss added, “[Manuel Akanji] couldn’t play against Spurs and [made] an effort today. We have players with rhythm, but we have other players with a lack of rhythm. It is what it is. Accept it.”
Next up for Manchester City’s depleted squad is the Champions League date with a trip to Portugal’s capital to face Sporting CP, managed by the incoming Manchester United head coach, Ruben Amorim.