HUGE BLOW: Pep Guardiola cries out after fresh injury blow hits another key duo as he reveal his side will be without five first-team players

Pep Guardiola stated Manchester City are ‘in jeopardy’ due to their mounting injury difficulties, with Bernardo Silva expected to miss the ‘next games’.

The midfielder was substituted in the 44th minute of City’s Champions League victory over Red Star Belgrade, and he frowned as he sat on the bench. Guardiola provided a concerning update on the Portugal international after the game.
“He didn’t say anything at the end,” City’s manager explained. “I didn’t speak with the doctors, but he won’t be able to play in the next few games.”

Silva’s injury is a source of concern for City, who were missing four players in their midweek Champions League success. Silva is now expected to miss Saturday’s Premier League match against Nottingham Forest as well as next week’s Carabao Cup tie at St James’ Park.

Before the next international break, City will also play Wolverhampton Wanderers (30 September), RB Leipzig (4 October), and Arsenal (8 October).

Guardiola could only name eight players on the bench in the Champions League group-stage start on Tuesday, with four players missing, two of whom were goalkeepers. Guardiola stated that the number of injuries in his team is a problem, with John Stones, Mateo Kovacic, and Jack Grealish all likely absent again this weekend.

“When we have five important players – really important players – injured, it will be difficult to sustain that for a long time,” Guardiola added. “However, it is what it is. But we don’t have the wages, budgets, or transfers to support 55 players. The clubs would be in pandemonium and would go bankrupt. It happens from time to time.

“Long time for Kevin [De Bruyne]; John still doesn’t play; maybe Kova is coming back, Jack maybe one week, 10 days will be there but after needs to make the conditions.” We’re in trouble, but that’s life.

“I won’t say we have a lot of injuries. That’s all there is to it. I’d rather be everyone, but with the players we have, we’ll go for it. It’s excellent that we have this mentality to go there.”

City began their Champions League defense with a 3-1 win over Red Star on Tuesday. The Blues trailed 1-0 at the half thanks to Osman Bukari’s counter-attacking strike, but Julian Alvarez and Rodri equalized.

But goals from Julian Alvarez and Rodri in the second half, along with an own goal from opponent goalie Omri Glazer, gave City three points in the group stage.