Manchester City could miss three defenders for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash with Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
Right-back Kyle Walker and centre-back John Stones are both doubts for the first leg tie at the Etihad Stadium through injury.
Walker missed Saturday’s 5-1 win over Watford with a calf injury, with Stones also missing the game due to a knock.
Both of them remain doubts for tonight’s first leg against a Real side who knocked Chelsea out of the competition in the quarter-finals. Portuguese full-back Joao Cancelo will also miss the clash due to suspension, having been booked three times in the competition this season.
Speaking on the injuries, Guardiola says that if either of them were to make a late return to selection, it would be decided just hours before kick-off.
"They (Walker and Stones) are doubts, they didn't train for the last week to ten days and John since Brighton,” said Guardiola. “We'll see how they feel, we'll speak to them tomorrow (Tuesday) and then make the decision."
City are yet to win the competition in their history, despite reaching last season’s final in Porto. A 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in Portugal 11 months ago thanks to Kai Havertz’s first half goal sealed victory for Thomas Tuchel’s side that day.
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This campaign is a fifth in a row where the Sky Blues have reached the quarter-finals or further in the Champions League, with last season’s place in the final being the furthest they have ever reached.
As a manager, City boss Pep Guardiola has won two Champions League titles, with both coming while in charge of Spanish giants Barcelona. In the 2008/09 and 2010/11 seasons, Barca recorded final wins of Manchester United in Rome and London respectively.
Spanish side Real Madrid will have a number of injury concerns of their own going into the tie. Eden Hazard (leg), Luka Jovic (teeth) and Mariano (knock) have all not made the travelling squad. Casemiro, David Alaba and Ferland Mendy have all made the squad despite injury doubts.
Man City played Real Madrid in this competition two seasons ago during the season affected by the coronavrius pandemic. In both legs of that Round of 16 tie, City were 2-1 winners.
Guardiola’s side will also have their eyes on a potential Premier League and Champions League double this season. With five games to go, City lead Liverpool at the top of the table by one point.
City’s final five fixtures in the Premier League come against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leeds United, Newcastle United, West Ham United and Aston Villa.
