Pep Guardiola gives cryptic Man City injury update and addresses January transfer window additions

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Pep Guardiola has addressed the media to give an update on the crippling injury crisis that is gripping the club.

Guardiola saw Manuel Akanji pull out of the midweek Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham on Wednesday evening after the warm-up, while Savinho was taken off on a stretcher during the second half in north London.

Prior to that match, Guardiola had already confirmed that Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Jermey Doku and Kyle Walker would not return before the international break, while Rodri and Oscar Bobb remain long-term absentees.

Guardiola takes his beleaguered Man City squad to Bournemouth for a 3pm kick-off tomorrow and has been able to assess how just how they are looking on the injury front.

Pep Guardiola delivers update on Man City’s injury crisis

“Tomorrow you will know it,” was Guardiola’s answer was pressed for an update. “You will see it, the list. I have many doubts, most of them, half-half. Tomorrow you will know it.”

He was then pressed for an update on Savinho and was able to confirm that the Brazilian had avoided a serious issue.

“It was a knock, a strong one, but it is not fractured,” he added.

Guardiola also insisted that he would not feel sorry for himself as his squad struggle with injury issues.

“It is what it is,” he continued. “It happens for many clubs. We are not exceptional, we are not the only club in the world in this modern football with injuries. We have a lot in certain departments, in certain positions but it is what it is. I have said many times to the team not to feel sorry for ourselves, it is what it is. The challenge is that and we are going to play with 11 players tomorrow.”

Pep Guardiola discusses using January transfer window to add players

The January transfer window is now just two months away, but Guardiola insists that there will not be any kneejerk reactions from the club in the New Year.

“No, because maybe in January we will have all of the squad fit except Rodri and maybe Oscar,” he added. “When we are all together, the squad is enough, it’s complete, it’s nice, it’s top when everybody is completely focused and fit. I remember in one moment in the past when Liverpool had a lot of injuries, a lot, so they struggled. But it is what it is, so we have to adapt and focus on winning tomorrow.”

City’s trip to Dean Court is the first match of a gruelling away-day triple header for the club, who are in Lisbon to face Sporting on Tuesday evening, before heading to Brighton for a Saturday tea-time Premier League clash.

The international break then follows, with Guardiola no doubt relieved to see his side get something of a respite, although he will be desperate to see his fit international players navigate the break without any fresh injury issues.