MANCHESTER CITY’S injury problems mounted after Fernandinho was ruled out for up to six weeks.
The Brazilian, 35, suffered a leg injury in their 3-1 Champions League win over Porto.
Fernandinho is facing six weeks out with a muscle injury in his legCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Fernandinho was only introduced in the 85th minute but hobbled off in stoppage time with what appeared to be a muscle strain in his leg.
Speaking after the game, Guardiola confirmed the injury, saying: “Bad news. His leg will be, I think, four to six weeks out.
“Yes it is a big blow for us with these amount of games and no people there. But it is what it is.”
Guardiola was already without key midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, defender Aymeric Laporte and Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus, while he has several players still short of full match fitness.
But it was one of these returning players who scored against Porto, Ilkay Gundogan’s brilliant free-kick putting City 2-1 up after they had fallen behind in the 14th minute.
The German midfielder said after the game: “If I’m honest, we are struggling a little bit with injuries and to lose Fernandinho towards the end of the game is another blow.
“There are others, of course, plus some who have just come back and I myself am not fully there yet after having Covid-19.”
De Bruyne and Laporte are expected to return to training on Thursday but it is not clear if they will be ready for Saturday’s Premier League encounter at West Ham.
Pep Guardiola shared Fernandinho’s frustration after the midfielder went off injuredCredit: Rex Features
Guardiola added: “I think Kevin and Laporte start training tomorrow but I don’t know how they will be tomorrow and the next days so we will see.
“Unfortunately people came back but now we have lost another.
“In three days we go to London and after we travel to France to play against Marseille and then Sheffield three days after.
“The schedules are so demanding and we need all the players.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
