Manchester City are tonight facing a juggling act in defence for their crucial Champions League clash with Club Brugge, amid concerns over John Stones' fitness.
Stones is a doubt for the game after returning from injury in the win over Chelsea on Sunday, potentially leaving Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji as the only fit centre-backs. Ruben Dias has already been ruled out.
Asked for an update on Stones on Tuesday, Guardiola said: "He played 35 minutes [against Chelsea] and played really well. We will see today how he feels."
In an injury boost for City, Oscar Bobb is potentially in contention to make the matchday squad after returning from a broken club suffered on the eve of the season.
City know they must win on Wednesday to stand any hope of reaching the knockout stages, and even then it would be via a two-legged play-off tie.
"The situation we have, we have to win the game and if not then we won't continue in the competition and we want to go through to have another chance to play another two games and qualify for the next stage,” Guardiola said. "It's not a problem it's an opportunity, a challenge and we will face it."
January signings Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Omar Marmoush are not eligible for the Champions League.
Manchester City predicted lineup: Ederson; Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol; Silva, Kovacic; Foden, De Bruyne, Savinho; Haaland
Doubts: Stones
Injured: Rodri, Bobb, Doku
Ineligible: Khusanov, Reis, Marmoush
Time and date: 8pm on Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Venue: Etihad Stadium
TV channel and live stream: TNT Sports
