Pep Guardiola has suggested that Nathan Ake could be facing a lengthy period on the sidelines after the defender was forced off with an injury in Manchester City's 0-0 draw with Arsenal on Sunday.
Ake was handed his 20th Premier League start of the season against the Gunners and came close to opening the scoring for the hosts when he glanced a close-range header into the gloves of David Raya in the 15th minute.
However, that proved to be one of the Dutchman's final contributions as he hobbled off just before the half-hour mark with what appeared to be a calf problem.
Man City were already having to cope without two key defenders in the form of Kyle Walker and John Stones, who picked up respective hamstring and groin injuries on international duty with England earlier this month.
While Walker was not involved in the matchday squad, Stones was surprisingly named on the substitutes' bench – albeit not called upon to play against Arsenal – just over 24 hours after Guardiola ruled the defender out of Sunday's contest.
Guardiola delivers Ake, Walker, Stones injury update
Guardiola has since revealed that his Man City side will have to find a way to cope without the presence of Ake, who is facing a longer spell on the sidelines than both Stones and Walker.
Speaking to Sky Sports News about Ake's injury, Guardiola said: "It is what it is. [He] played two games this week [including] with the national team in Holland.
"John will be better soon, I think. Kyle will be longer, now Nathan will be longer.
"Rico [Lewis] played exceptionally well (after coming on as Ake's replacement) and we have other guys. We will do it with the guys that we have."
Ederson another name in Man City's treatment room
Man City were also without first-choice goalkeeper Ederson for their showdown with Arsenal, with the Brazilian yet to fully recover from a muscle injury sustained in a 1-1 draw with Liverpool before the international break.
Guardiola revealed prior to kickoff against the Gunners that Ederson "was not even close" to being considered for the match, and added: "We have Stefan [Ortega]. We rely on him incredibly."
Ederson is therefore one of four players along with Ake, Stones and Walker who have emerged as major doubts for Man City's next Premier League game at home against Aston Villa on Wednesday night.
Ortega is seemingly in line for a second successive Premier League start against Villa, while Rico Lewis could be called upon to start in defence alongside Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji and Josko Gvardiol.
After claiming only a point against Arsenal, Man City remain third in the table and one point behind the Gunners in second place, while Liverpool are the new leaders and sit three points clear of the Citizens after beating Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 at Anfield earlier on Sunday afternoon. body check tags ::
