1 day ago
28
Manchester City midfielder Nico Gonzalez is fit again but Pep Guardiola's side are in the midst of an injury crisis.
Nico Gonzalez has provided Manchester City with a welcome boost but the injury-ravaged Blues are down to 13 senior outfield players for Wednesday night's Premier League clash with Brighton. Midfielder Gonzalez was forced off at half time during the 0-0 draw with Sunderland on New Year's Day and missed the weekend draw with Chelsea.
He has recovered and is available for the visit of the Seagulls. That is a significant boost for City who saw Rodri complete 90 minutes against Chelsea as he continues his recovery from injury.
There are question marks as to whether the Spaniard can manage multiple games in a week so the return of Gonzalez offers an alternative in the middle of the park for Pep Guardiola. The City chief also provided an update on Ruben Dias, with the defender set to miss up to six weeks with a hamstring injury sustained against Chelsea while Josko Gvardiol faces a race to be fit again this season after fracturing his leg in the same game.
City are set to pair Nathan Ake and Abdukodir Khusanov at centre back against Brighton with John Stones not yet fit. "He's a really important player for us," said Guardiola of Stones. "For a long time he was injured for us and this season looks like the same. He's trying a lot but he's not fit."
City are also without wingers Savinho and Oscar Bobb through injury while Mateo Kovacic is still sidelined. Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri are away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
City face a hectic January schedule which includes matches in four competitions as they seek to maintain their challenge on all fronts. The Blues have slipped to six points adrift of leaders Arsenal in the Premier League after successive draws, while they begin their FA Cup campaign against Exeter City on Saturday before the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United next week.
Despite the injury absences, Guardiola believes his squad can cope with the absentees. City have recalled Max Alleyne from his loan at Watford to provide cover while they could seek to try and move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi this month with the England international out of contract in the summer.
"With the spirit that we have, always we can cope," said Guardiola. "Considering fatigue, we have to see the faces and take a decision tomorrow (for Brighton). Tomorrow we will see."
English (US) ·