Pep Guardiola joked with Sky Sports' Geoff Shreeves that Phil Foden would play as a centre-half amid Manchester City's injury issues.
The Premier League leaders extended their gap at the top to three points on Sunday as they took advantage of Liverpool's draw with Tottenham 24 hours earlier. They hit Newcastle for five which bolstered their goal difference ahead of the final three games, but the win came at a cost.
Ruben Dias was forced off at half-time with Fernandinho replacing him. Already Guardiola is without John Stones and Kyle Walker, who came off in Madrid last week. Guardiola claimed that the trio would all miss the final games of the season leaving City's resources tested, which caused him to suggest that Foden could prove a makeshift replacement.
He said on Sky Sports : "We have thirteen and a half players, because Nathan is not in perfect condition. So we have thirteen players and no central defenders for the next few days. But I'm not worried at all because if Phil Foden has to play as a central defender then we will play as a central defender."
Shreeves quickly replied, asking: "Really?" before the Catalan laughed and said "no". Guardiola underlined the importance of Fernandinho, who may now have to step in for the final stretch of the season or youth products may have to come in.
The City boss said on their options: “Otherwise we have to play CJ [Egan-Riley] or Luke Mbete. We arrive with a problem. In this situation it is not a problem. If Rodri has to play in that position, it is not a problem, or if we have to play someone from the Academy. We have 13 players available for these games. No more than that, plus Academy.
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“When we do that, everyone has to do more to help our absences and the problem we have. It is what it is. We arrive with problems. Today we had three defenders in the second half. Fernandinho played well against Callum Wilson. That’s what we have to do.”
City go to Wolves next before a trip to the capital to face West Ham. The two away days could prove to be banana skins for the champions, who are aiming to win a fourth league title in five years with Liverpool still chasing them down. Guardiola's side responded following their Champions League heartache, but their boss never doubted their ability to bounce back.
Jack Grealish said: "We always knew there was going be pressure on us especially after midweek. We bounced back perfectly. We stuck together as a unit which was needed. Now we need to try and end the season strongly."
