Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that John Stones and Nathan Ake picked up respective hamstring and ankle injuries in the 3-0 Premier League win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday night.
Ake was replaced at half time by Ruben Dias – who made his first appearance for the Citizens since March 1 – while Stones gingerly walked off in the 77th minute holding the back of his thigh and was replaced by Oleksandr Zinchenko.
City have had to cope with a few injury issues to defenders in recent weeks, with Dias having only just recovered from a hamstring strain, while Kyle Walker is currently sidelined with an ankle problem.
Speaking to the press after the win against Brighton, Guardiola suggested that both Stones and Ake will need to be assessed to determine the severity of their injuries.
"Nathan Ake has a twisted ankle. It is not perfect but it was good to give minutes to Ruben [Dias]," the Spaniard told reporters.
"[Stones] felt a little bit tight. I didn't speak to the doctor, I will speak to him in the morning. Even for the doctors he needs to rest a little bit to know exactly the feeling. John went out running and playing. That is a good sign.
"He did not make an action and fall down to the grass. He was playing but felt tight. We did not want to take a risk. We will see in the next days."
Goals from Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva helped Man City secure all three points against the Seagulls at the Etihad Stadium, and that result has seen them climb back to the top of the Premier League table, one point ahead of Liverpool with six games remaining.
Oliver Thomas
