Man City injuries: Pep Guardiola gives updates on Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne & John Stones

Pep Guardiola provided an injury update on Manchester City trio John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling, following the victory over Everton on Wednesday night.

Second-half goals from Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva ensured the world champions came from a goal down to take all three points at Goodison Park in their first match since returning from Saudi Arabia.

But the 3-1 win came at a cost, with John Stones taken off in the first half after he sustained a problem as he tracked back to prevent Beto’s chance on goal. The defender was replaced in the latter stages of the first half amid fears he may have suffered a third injury of the campaign.

“Sometimes you have seasons like that,” said Guardiola, after confirming Stones' injury is an ankle problem, but added he is unsure how serious the issue is. “Hopefully the damage isn't big and he can come back soon. December has been really tough with important players injured but we are still there.”

Beto was flagged offside after Stones sprinted back and tackled the Everton forward, a use of the law which Guardiola admitted he finds frustrating.

“I said to Anthony Taylor but it is the same with the hands. You go to Europe and it is different. If it's offside, it is offside. If there are doubts, don't do it. But now he is injured and they say you're right Pep but that's the situation.”

Meanwhile, Guardiola also said Kevin De Bruyne will be back ‘soon’ as he continues his recuperation from a hamstring injury. The midfielder hasn’t played since the opening weekend of the Premier League season but has been back in training in recent weeks.

“Kevin is close but he had fatigue yesterday and we have to be careful,” revealed the City boss. “When he was injured for three months, if you don't handle the timings good you can get injured again. 

“The injury was serious so step by step but he's training with us and he is so positive so soon he will be back. I'd love for him to play the next game or Huddersfield but what is important is keeping him fit for a long time, not for one game or another.”

Finally, there was an update on Erling Haaland, who Guardiola said is training alone at present. The forward missed the Everton win, his fifth game in a row he has been missed with a foot injury, and Guardiola said before the game that the Norwegian might not be available until January.

Asked to clarify those comments, the ex-Barcelona manager said: “He's training alone and getting better but not with the team yet. Kevin is training with the team but Erling not yet training with the team and will get better. It’s getting better, it's a question of when the pain will disappear.

“I'm not a doctor,” he added. “He had a stress in the bone in his feet and it's so painful. He's not a skinny guy like Phil Foden, he's huge and tall so it is more difficult sometimes. When he will be fine, he will be back and play but the doctors come every morning and say which players are available. I create the team and we play the games.”