Pep Guardiola has claimed Manchester City are ‘in trouble’ as Bernardo Silva added to the club’s growing injury list when he limped off against Red Star Belgrade.
The Portuguese midfielder was substituted in the 44th minute of their 3-1 Champions League group stage win against the Serbian champions.
Silva was replaced by Jeremy Doku, who was one of only six outfield players on Man City’s bench.
Guardiola revealed post match that Silva is expected to be out for ‘the next few weeks’.
The loss of the Portuguese midfielder is the latest blow to the Treble winners, with Kevin de Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Mateo Kovacic and John Stones already on the sidelines.
Guardiola suggested Kovacic is the nearest to returning to action, with the Man City boss urging his team to keep pushing despite the setbacks.
“We are in trouble but I am not going to say ‘oh, we have a lot of injuries’. It is what it is,’ Guardiola said.
“With the players we have, we will go for it. As long as we have that mentality, that is good.
“We have five really important players injured and to sustain that for a long time would be difficult.
‘Sometimes it happens.
‘Long time for Kevin, John still hasn’t played and needs a bit longer, maybe Kova is coming back, Jack maybe one week to 10 days will be there but after that needs to make the conditions.’
City face a busy end to the month with the reigning champions seeking to preserve their 100 per cent start to the Premier League season when they host Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Guardiola’s side travel to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup third round in midweek, before facing Wolves away in the Premier League.
Further away trips to face RB Leipzig in the Champions League and title rivals Arsenal will open Man City’s schedule in October.
