Pep Guardiola said on Tuesday that Manchester City are dealing with an injury “emergency” as the wounded Premier League champions limp into the hectic December schedule.
Kevin de Bruyne is yet to return to training as City’s star midfielder recovers from the coronavirus, while Ferran Torres is a long-term absentee with a foot injury Phil Foden and Jack Grealish have also struggled with injuries, although both could play some part in City’s trip to Aston Villa on Wednesday.
Guardiola will also be without the suspended Aymeric Laporte at Villa Park and he believes City face a difficult spell heading towards Christmas. “We have an emergency in the squad. We have few, few, few people,” Guardiola told reporters.
“We never complain when it is not possible for players to play for injuries or red cards. “I trust a lot in the squad and other players who come in but we are in real trouble for December, the toughest month of the year.”
Guardiola is holding out hope that England midfielder Grealish could return to face his former club on Wednesday.
Grealish, who joined City from Villa in the close-season, has missed their last three games with a knock sustained on international duty.—AP
