Manchester City “will play with 11 players” as Pep Guardiola deals with his injury crisis against Bournemouth.
Guardiola said after the midweek cup defeat to Tottenham that he was down to just 13 fit players but was coy about any updates ahead of the weekend.
He started his news conference by saying that winger Savinho could be available having suffered “no fracture” with the “strong knock” he picked up against Tottenham.
“Tomorrow you will see [who is available], I have many doubts, half and half,” Guardiola said.
“It happens in many clubs and we’re not the only club in the world to be going through it. There are a lot [of injuries] in certain departments and positions but it is what it is.
“I’ve said to the players ‘don’t feel sorry for ourselves, our challenge is this’ and we will play with 11 players tomorrow. I will talk to players to see how they feel and the doctors. It is just day by day.”
Midfielder Rodri is out for the rest of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in September while Kevin de Bruyne, who missed five months of last season following surgery, is out with a thigh injury.
Full-back Kyle Walker is out with a knee injury with no date on a potential return, while forwards Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish have missed recent games.
’14 games, 14 losses’
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola says “it’s difficult for everyone” to face champions City in the Premier League.
The latest Cherries injury news from the boss 🤕👇
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) November 1, 2024
The Cherries have not beaten City in their history, with their last draw coming in the third tier in 1999, when Jamie Pollock and Kevin Horlock were both sent off for City.
Iraola said: “It’s 14 games, 14 losses. There is a reason and also this year, they are unbeaten in the Premier League, top of the table.
“It’s not just difficult for Bournemouth, it’s difficult for everyone. But we have to play against them, twice a season, so we have to maximise our options, give our best and see if it’s enough.”
“It’s really going to be a difficult one, considering their position, but we are trying to give us chances.”
