Manchester City have suffered a double injury blow, as Kyle Walker and John Stones will miss Sunday’s Premier League title game against Arsenal.
Both players were wounded while on international duty for England.
Walker was removed early in a 1-0 loss to Brazil owing to a hamstring injury, while Stones limped out of Tuesday’s 2-2 tie with Belgium due to an adductor ailment.
Defending champions City sit third in the Premier League, one point behind champions Arsenal, who lead Liverpool only by goal difference.
The loss of the vital defensive duo is also a concern for City, who play the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid on April 9.
“Kyle’s (injury is) more tough than John’s but they will be out – I don’t know for how many games,” said Guardiola at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
However, there was more positive news for Guardiola as Ederson, Manuel Akanji, Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne all look set to return from injury.
De Bruyne, who sat out City’s 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Newcastle before the international break, has suffered an injury-plagued season after missing the first five months of the campaign with a hamstring tear.
However, the 32-year-old has provided 12 assists and scored twice in 12 appearances for City this season when fit.
“Kevin is so important,” added Guardiola. “It has been a tough season for him with injuries.
“He has been out for a long time but he trained really well yesterday. We will see what he does in the next days.”
De Bruyne scored twice in City’s 4-1 win over Arsenal at the Etihad last season that proved a telling blow to the Gunners’ title aspirations.
Mikel Arteta’s men look a more mature and well-rounded force this season, but face the acid test of whether they are ready to dethrone City as English champions on Sunday.
City have not lost at home in 38 games in all competitions, stretching back to November 2022.
Guardiola’s men also remain on course to repeat their treble triumph of last season.
The winners of City’s Champions League tie against Madrid will play either Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the last four.
City also face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals next month.
“This season has been really good,” said Guardiola.
“To be in contention for the three important titles now, we’ve done incredible work.
“Now it’s the last 10 games of Premier League, we start an important time. We play the leaders of the Premier League and I’m sure the people (City’s fans) will give us what we need to perform at our best.”