Pep Guardiola gives Jack Grealish fitness update as three Man City players ruled out v Brighton

Pep Guardiola said none of those missing against Sporting Lisbon will be available for Saturday’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Manchester City head to the south coast on the back of the three successive defeats - and Guardiola has never suffered four losses in a row during his time at the club. Injuries and fitness concerns have been a major issue for City in recent weeks, with three missed the midweek game in Portugal.

John Stones, Ruben Dias and Jack Grealish were absent and, speaking ahead of the Brighton clash, Guardiola confirmed the same trio will miss the game.

That’s somewhat surprising given Grealish was called up to the England squad on Thursday. Asked about Lee Carsley’s decision to include the City winger, a clearly irked Guardiola replied: “Question for the manager for England. No [he's not fit].”

On the other absentees, the Catalan added: “No good news, the same as Lisbon. The same guys who travel are there.”

Grealish last played for City in the 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on 20 October and picked up a knock in training the following day. The former Aston Villa man has missed the last five games, but Carsley said when he was included in his final squad as interim manager that Grealish had spent the last two days training in the gym.

Meanwhile, City head to Brighton with uncertainty surrounding the fitness of Kevin De Bruyne and Nathan Ake. The latter came off against Bournemouth last week and was an unused substitute in Lisbon, while De Bruyne has been struggling with a pelvic injury over the last seven weeks, but did return in the defeat to Sporting.