Pep Guardiola admits Man City ‘have problems’ after John Stones & Nathan Ake pick up injuries

Pep Guardiola has admitted Manchester City ‘have problems’ in defence following their 3-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday.

While it was a night where Ruben Dias returned to the side after nearly a two-month injury lay-off, there were concerning updates on John Stones and Nathan Ake, both of whom were taken off at the Etihad.

The latter was replaced by Dias at the break, while Stones needed to kick the ball out of play after 77 minutes to force through his withdrawal, with Oleksandr Zinchenko coming on in his place.

These fresh knocks add to the issues at the back for City, with Kyle Walker injured and Joao Cancelo not available to play in next week’s Champions League first leg against Real Madrid due to suspension.

Stones’s muscular problem

Speaking after the Brighton win, which saw City return to the Premier League summit, Guardiola seemed unsure as to the extent of Stones’s problem.

“He felt tight, something with his muscle, hopefully nothing because we have problems in that position with Kyle, and Joao cannot play against Madrid,” Guardiola said in his post-match press conference.

“We will see. When people talk about my magnificent selection against Liverpool in the FA Cup, it is for that reason. Sometimes the decisions are like this. During the year this happens.

“I said yesterday in the press conference, when you are here in all competitions, the only way to survive in those moments is to have fit players. I didn’t want to take a risk because the Premier League is so important for us.”

Pushed for more details on Stones, Guardiola responded: “He felt a little bit tight. I don’t know, I did not speak to the doctor, I was drinking wine before I came to you [in the press conference].

“I will speak tomorrow morning and the doctor will tell me. But John went out running and playing and that was a good sign. It was not an action where he fell to the grass. He felt tight and didn’t want to take a risk and we’ll see in the next days.”

Ake’s injury concern

While Guardiola was unsure how serious Stones’ problem was, Ake’s issue seems more severe, with the City boss revealing he sustained an ankle injury.

"Nathan Ake has a twisted ankle,” Guardiola told BBC Sport. “It is not perfect but it was good to give minutes to Ruben. John was a little bit tight.

“Hopefully nothing too bad but we will see tomorrow. Ruben is important. It is difficult seven weeks out to come back and pick up the rhythm. He is mentally so strong and that is why he shows so many good things."