Pep Guardiola recalls defender from loan spell amid Man City injury crisis

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Manchester City will have a new defender in their squad in time for the Premier League game with Brighton after injuries to two centre-backs

Manchester City have recalled centre-back Max Alleyne amid fears over the length of time Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias could miss. Both first-choice defenders had to be taken off in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday, with Pep Guardiola not positive when asked for updates after the game.

"It doesn't look good," the manager said of Gvardiol. "Him and Ruben, we'll see what happens. I didn't speak to the doctor but if Ruben is out it's because he felt something. We have a lot [of injuries]. John Stones is missing for I don't know how many months.

"Ruben now will be out, Josko will be out. Nathan, always we know with Nathan he cannot play regularly. It's the situation. Stay strong and we will find a solution. The spirit is there and will be there. Of course I have concerns. Have you seen the bench today? Four players from the academy and now we will have more. We don't have players."

Nathan Ake and Abdukodir Khusanov finished the game at centre-back against Chelsea but Guardiola noted Ake's difficulty in playing regularly and City have moved quickly to bring Alleyne back from Watford. The 20-year-old will be in the squad for Brighton and could start on Saturday in the FA Cup against Exeter, staying with the squad for the second half of the season.

City also have four other centre-backs out on loan but as it stands they are not expected to be recalled. Manu Akanji is the most experienced and is out at Inter, who could buy him permanently at the end of the season, while Juma Bah and Vitor Reis are at Nice and Girona respectively and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey is switching from Celtic to FC Koln.

There is also the possibility that City could sign a defender in the January transfer window. They had been planning to compete for Marc Guehi's signature at the end of the season when his contract runs out, but could try and offer Palace money to sell him this month depending on the outcome of the additional checks on Dias and Gvardiol.