Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a fresh update on the fitness of his squad ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The Citizens ended their seven-game winless run across all competitions when they beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
However, that victory came at a cost as defensive duo Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji were both withdrawn due to injury.
Akanji was taken off at half time with an unspecified issue, one that the 29-year-old has been 'struggling a lot' with for the last few months according to Guardiola.
Ake, meanwhile, appeared to sustain a hamstring injury in the closing stages of the second half after challenging for the ball, and Guardiola admitted after the match that his latest setback "doesn't look good."
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Ake, Foden among absentees, Akanji doubtful
Guardiola has since delivered a very brief update on both players at his pre-match press conference on Friday, confirming that Ake "is out" while Akanji will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Meanwhile, Guardiola was asked about the availability of Phil Foden, who was left out of the matchday squad in midweek due to bronchitis.
Foden, who has struggled to build on an exceptional 2023-24 campaign in which he was named Premier League and PFA Player of the Season, is dealing with his second bout of illness this term after spending a few weeks on the sidelines earlier this year.
Guardiola suggested after Man City's win over Forest that Foden may not be sidelined for too long, but he has now confirmed that the midfielder is "not ready" to play against Crystal Palace this weekend.
The Catalan coach has also confirmed that John Stones (foot) and Mateo Kovacic (unspecified) will not be in contention for the trip to South London and remain in the treatment room with long-term absentees Rodri (ACL) and Oscar Bobb (leg fracture).
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Guardiola keen to be careful with De Bruyne's fitness
One player who was back fit and firing for Man City is midweek was captain Kevin De Bruyne, who scored and assisted in the win over Forest after being handed his first start in any competition since September 18.
De Bruyne had previously been sidelined for 10 matches with a niggling groin issue, and while Guardiola is pleased to have the playmaker back at his disposal, he is wants to be careful with the Belgian to avoid any setbacks amidst a busy festive fixture schedule.
"We don't have many players so we'll see (if he plays against Palace)," said Guardiola. "[It took] a long time to come back. With a game every three days, we'll see how he reacts to this amount of games."
Man City enter Saturday's clash with Crystal Palace sitting fourth in the Premier League table, nine points behind leaders Liverpool, who could move 12 clear of the reigning champions if they beat Merseyside rivals Everton in the lunchtime kickoff.
Oliver Thomas
