John Stones and Erling Haaland update: Guardiola confirms huge Man City injury blow | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola says John Stones will be out for two or three months, following the injury he sustained in Manchester City’s Champions League fixture against Real Madrid.

The City boss said the England defender might need surgery after injuring his thigh in Wednesday’s match, something that will be decided within the next few days.

It is another blow for City’s defence, following Manuel Akanji’s injury in the first leg at the Etihad, who is also sidelined for two or three months.

Guardiola said: “He’s injured, it’s a difficult one. In the next hours or days we will know if he needs surgery or not.”

The City boss also says he is concerned by the number of injuries his players have suffered this year and admits tough decisions will have to be made in the future.

“Some of [the players] cannot sustain playing every three days,” he said. “Already we have a lot of players who cannot sustain what we did in the past.

“Next year a doctor will sit with me, with the number of injuries we have. Something is going on. Not just with us but other clubs like Spurs and Arsenal.”

Striker Erling Haaland missed the Champions League fixture at Santiago Bernabeu after suffering a knock against Newcastle.

City face league leaders Liverpool on Sunday in a match that could be instrumental in the title race.

And when asked about whether the Norweigan would play against Liverpool, Guardiola added: “I don’t know yet. We will know tomorrow. It’s better to have Erling on the pitch – of course with Erling we are stronger.

“We can compete with any team. We have two central defenders out for two to three months. The Premier League is massively important for us. In the Premier League we have played really good games.

“We are not stable but in other games such as against Newcastle, we have been at a high level. We will try to play a good game and the points that we need to stay up there to qualify [for the Champions League] next season.”

Guardiola was asked whether Liverpool are stronger now under Arne Slot than they were under Jurgen Klopp, who left Anfield at the end of last season.

“I’m not going to answer that question,” he said. “I have much respect for Jurgen and I know you want to go but I will not play that game.”