Pep Guardiola gives injury update on seven Man City players ahead of Sporting Lisbon clash

Pep Guardiola has given a detailed injury update on his Manchester City squad ahead of the Champions League clash against Sporting Lisbon.

The Blues head to the Portuguese capital on the back of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth. It was a bruising game in more ways than one, with a patched-up City side having to cope with several injury concerns.

And there were fears those problems had been exacerbated on Monday afternoon when footage appeared to show Erling Haaland sustain a knock during the open session. But Guardiola revealed ahead of the game that City’s no.9 is ‘fine’.

He also provided an update on defenders Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and Kyle Walker, all of whom have been struggling with recent knocks but started on Saturday and have travelled to Lisbon.

“Manu and Nathan are still with problems,” said the City boss. “Kyle as well. He had problems with his knee since being with the national team.”

Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Savinho were all expected to miss the Bournemouth game but were shock inclusions on the bench due to City’s plethora of injury woes. All the trio are options against Sporting, Guardiola explained.

“Kevin is getting better. He is having sessions with less pain, so we feel he is getting more and more comfortable. That is good news for all of us.

“Doku has had problems with muscular issues, Savinho is getting better with his ankle. The rest are fine.

“Oscar [Bobb], the most important player in pre-season, is injured,” he added. “Jack [Grealish] is still not fit. You know the situation with Rodri, nominated the best player in the world. We know we will struggle, and we have to accept that, and it is fine.”

City head into the game on the back of earning seven points from the opening three matches in this season’s Champions League, with the 2023 winners sitting third in the 36-team league.