Man City manager Pep Guardiola delivers a fresh update on the fitness of his squad, including Savinho, ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered a fresh update on the fitness of his squad ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
The Citizens, who suffered a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in the last 16 of the EFL Cup on Wednesday, are dealing with an injury crisis and could be without up to nine first-team players for their trip to the Cherries.
Savinho, Manuel Akanji and Josko Gvardiol are the latest trio who have been added to the club’s growing injury list, the former of whom was stretched off in the second half against Spurs with an ankle injury.
Guardiola admitted after the defeat in North London that Man City are “in trouble” as he only has “13 outfield players” available for this weekend’s match with Bournemouth.
While Akanji is hoping to be fit to face the Cherries, it has been reported that Savinho suffered a minor sprain to his right ankle and is set to be sidelined for at least seven days, seemingly ruling him out of Saturday’s match.
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Savinho among “many doubts” ahead of Bournemouth trip
However, Guardiola has since confirmed that the Brazilian winger is a doubt and could be available to face Bournemouth, pending a late fitness test, having suffered a “strong knock” and “no fracture”.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Guardiola also said that several players will be assessed following their final training session before they make the trip to Bournemouth.
“Tomorrow you will know it,” the Catalan coach explained. “You will see from the list. I have many doubts. Most of them are half-half (50-50), tomorrow you will know it.
“It is what it is. It happens to so many clubs. We are not the exception, we are not the only club in the world in modern football who have injuries. We have a lot in certain departments in certain positions but it is what it is.
“I’m pretty sure I said many times to the team try not to feel sorry for ourself, it is what it is. The challenge is that and we are going to play with 11 players tomorrow.”
While both Rodri (ACL) and Oscar Bobb (leg fracture) remain long-term absentees, if is expected that Kevin De Bruyne (groin), Kyle Walker (knee), Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish (both unspecified) will also miss the trip to Bournemouth.
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Could Man City be active in January amid injury crisis?
Guardiola was asked if Man City could delve into the transfer market in January to bolster his squad, and he replied: “No, because maybe in January we’ll have all the squad fit except Rodri and maybe Oscar [Bobb] will be in the latter stages.
“When we are altogether, the squad is enough, it’s complete, it’s nice, it’s top when everyone is focused and fit.
“I remember in the past Liverpool had a lot of injuries and they struggled. We have to adapt and focus on winning tomorrow.”
Man City are, however, expected to integrate 18-year-old midfielder Claudio Echeverri into their senior squad in January when his loan spell at River Plate comes to an end.
The Citizens, who are looking to equal two of Chelsea’s English top-flight records, will maintain their position at the top of the Premier League table if they beat Bournemouth on Saturday; they currently sit one point above Liverpool in second and five clear of both Arsenal in third and Aston Villa in fourth.
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