Manchester Metropolis defender John Stones will miss the champions’ Premier League journey to Chelsea on Sunday, supervisor Pep Guardiola has confirmed.
The England worldwide was compelled off at half-time of Tuesday’s Champions League win over Younger Boys with a muscular drawback.
Guardiola has revealed the damage will not be as dangerous as feared however there isn’t a prospect of him travelling to Stamford Bridge. Additionally it is not clear whether or not Stones will probably be accessible for England this month or the November 25 conflict with Liverpool.
Guardiola mentioned at a press convention: “He’s injured. He isn’t prepared (for Sunday) and we’ll see after we come again from the worldwide break.
“The physician mentioned to me it’s not as dangerous (as first thought) however I nonetheless don’t know when he’s going to be match.”
Guardiola additionally delivered a constructive replace on Kevin De Bruyne, who may return earlier than the top of the yr, however he is not going to rush the Belgium playmaker again into motion.
De Bruyne has been sidelined since present process surgical procedure on a hamstring damage in August.
Guardiola mentioned: “I spoke to him two days in the past and he mentioned, ‘I really feel actually good’ however nonetheless he isn’t coaching with us and never operating a lot.
“I don’t know however it’s the final time (interval) earlier than he comes again to coach with us.
“I want to say in two weeks or three weeks, however these kind of accidents are higher to not put any strain on. When he feels good, the medical doctors and physios say go to the following step, then he’s coming. Like John Stones, get better with out strain.
“Kevin’s was a troublesome damage with surgical procedure, so step-by-step.”
Metropolis head to Chelsea recent from securing their place within the Champions League knockout levels for an eleventh successive yr.
The holders have hardly been troubled as they’ve cruised via with two video games to spare – an achievement that, in comparison with final yr’s treble success, appears comparatively modest.
Guardiola, nevertheless, insists it’s one thing that must be savoured as a result of – as this week’s opponents Chelsea, the 2021 European champions, have found – the nice instances is not going to final indefinitely.
He mentioned: “I can’t make any remark about Chelsea as a result of I’m not there however at all times we remind ourselves. Final Tuesday we certified and I informed the gamers to rejoice as a result of, perhaps sooner or later, if we cease doing what we do or the opponents are higher than us, we is not going to be there.
“What now we have finished is the previous. If we’re not doing effectively we’ll go down, and the down might by no means finish. You possibly can go down extra.
“So, take perspective, be calm and (get pleasure from) good moments. For each workforce around the globe, not simply the truth that we’re Man Metropolis and the final years have been good, (it doesn’t imply) it would occur sooner or later.
“If you’re conscious of that, you might be nearer to nonetheless being constant in Europe for a few years.”
