Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has revealed that they will be again without a number of influential players for the trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.
According to the Man City website, Bernardo Silva has not recovered from a knock he picked up in the game against Red Star Belgrade and John Stones remains side-lined, though is nearing a return to action.
With long-term absentee Kevin De Bruyne out for several months and Rodrigo suspended, the manager will assess his options ahead of Saturday’s game.
“We have training this afternoon (Friday),” said Guardiola.
“John is not ready. Kevin is not ready. Bernardo is not okay – I think the rest are fine though maybe someone else that I don’t have in my mind.
“John is better, much better. He feels really good. He is training alone, but maybe next week or after Leipzig he will start.”
And on the suspended Rodrigo, the City boss says his squad needs to get on with playing and not dwell on those who are absent.
“It is what is,” he said.
“It’s a pity, but if you are not (available) you are not. I have to find a solution. I am not here to complain.
“Just for the fact the number of minutes he has played and the consistency in many things – of course he is not easy to replace.”
Guardiola added that City will take the positives from the Carabao Cup clash against Newcastle and quickly move onto this weekend’s Premier League game with Wolves.
The City boss made eight changes to his starting line-up in the narrow 1-0 defeat at St James’ Park with many players given a rest after a hectic start.
While the result was disappointing, Guardiola was happy with many aspects of the performance ahead of the Wolves match.
“The game was really good,” he said. “In the Carabao Cup, you make a statement by winning it four times in a row like no team has done before, but we went out.
“In the first half they had a good rhythm but we could not do it in the second half. That is football.
“You win games you lose games. We were disappointed the day after but now we focus on the next one.”
City are looking to extend their 100% start in the Premier League to seven matches after a perfect beginning to the season.
Gary O’Neil’s side have played just twice at home this season, losing to second-placed Liverpool and third-placed Brighton, and Guardiola saw enough in those matches to know they will be a huge threat. – www.mancity.com
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