Pep Guardiola has revealed that John Stones "is not ready" to play for Manchester City in Sunday's Premier League clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The 29-year-old has not played for the Citizens since the Community Shield defeat to the Gunners in early August due to a muscle injury, and he has subsequently missed each of the last 11 games across all competitions.
Stones has stepped up his recovery in first-team training, though, and the defender watched on as an unused substitute in City's 3-1 win against RB Leipzig in Germany in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The England international has also been selected in Gareth Southgate's squad for a friendly against Australia and Euro 2024 qualifier versus Italy later this month.
Despite this, Guardiola has confirmed that Stones will not be involved against Arsenal, saying at a press conference on Friday: "No, Stones is not ready to play, maybe for national team but not for us."
Man City will also have to cope without key midfielder Rodri, who will serve the third and final game of his three-match domestic ban after being sent off for violent conduct in the 2-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest earlier this month.
The Spaniard played more minutes than any other Citizens player in their treble-winning campaign in 2022-23 and made a bright start to the new season before picking up his suspension, recording three goals and two assists in nine games.
Discussing how Man City can cope without Rodri for such a big game against Arsenal, Guardiola said: "We will see – we start to talk today with my staff.
"This afternoon I will analyse and prepare for the game tomorrow. "(Rodri is) maybe the best or in the top two or three best holding midfielders in the world.
"Like I said he's not here and we'll have to find a solution with our players and how we want to play. Imagine what they can do.... At the moment, in my mind, the player is out, and I don't' think about it.
"I'm thinking the solution we have to find Rodri is on holiday now and after the international break, he will be back ready for Brighton."
Meanwhile Guardiola has provided an encouraging update on Kevin De Bruyne who has been sidelined since the opening weekend of the new Premier League season with a long-term hamstring injury.
The Belgian playmaker was initially ruled out for between four and five months after undergoing surgery at the end of August, but Guardiola has suggested that the 31-year-old could return "sooner than expected".
"Kevin comes in at different times, either before training or for his treatment," said Guardiola. "After training he sees physios, and so on.
"Of course I see him every day and he's getting better, and his mood is good. Hopefully (he will be back) sooner than expected he will be back."
Man City head into Sunday's clash with Arsenal sitting just one point clear of the third-placed Gunners at the top of the Premier League table, but the Citizens could lose their place at the summit before their match in North London if second-placed Tottenham Hotspur beat Luton Town on Saturday lunchtime. body check tags ::
