Fresh injury crisis hits Man City just a week before welcoming local rivals Manchester United to the Etihad Stadium.
The Cityzens will hope to get back to winning ways in the Premier League, and doing so against the Red Devils would be especially significant for Pep Guardiola and his men.
However, defeating their neighbours may prove more difficult than usual considering the growing number of players unavailable through injury.
Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki and Mateo Kovacic are all sidelined, and it has now been reported that England international John Stones has joined the list of casualties.
John Stones Withdraws From England Camp With A Muscle Problem
John Stones is one of the Manchester City players who has featured in all three of their Premier League matches this season, underlining his importance to the team’s defensive structure.
But the defender may not be available for selection next week against United, a blow that adds to Guardiola’s growing headache.
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According to reports, Stones has already withdrawn from the England national team camp with what has been described as a muscular problem.
The defender has since returned to Manchester, where the club’s medical staff will conduct further tests to determine the extent of the damage.
His absence would leave City short of options at the back, with the likes of Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake expected to shoulder more responsibility.
Guardiola has often rotated his defenders to maintain freshness, but this latest setback could force him to alter his tactical approach against the Red Devils.
Pep Guardiola Faces Selection Headache Ahead Of Busy Schedule
The timing of these injuries could not be worse for City. The club faces a congested fixture list in the coming weeks, including Champions League group-stage matches and crucial league fixtures.
With Manchester United visiting the Etihad, Guardiola would have hoped for a fully fit squad to maintain momentum after a mixed start to the campaign.
The injury crisis hits Man City at a time when United themselves are desperate to turn their season around.
The Red Devils will view the derby as an opportunity to make a statement, while Guardiola’s side must balance caution with aggression in their approach.
