Pep Guardiola has revealed that Manchester City still have 'little problems' on the injury front ahead of next Monday night's Premier League clash away at Crystal Palace.
The Citizens were without four defenders when they played out a goalless draw at home against Sporting Lisbon in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday night, but they were still able to cruise through to the quarter-finals with a 5-0 aggregate win.
Ruben Dias (hamstring) and Nathan Ake (knock) were both sidelined and Joao Cancelo also missed out due to illness, while Kyle Walker was suspended, although he is expected to return to first-team action at Selhurst Park.
Backup goalkeeper Zack Steffen and academy graduate Cole Palmer are also suffering with respective back and foot injuries, but Guardiola is hopeful that some of the current absentees can return ahead of next week's game with the Eagles.
Speaking to reporters in his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Guardiola said: "It's still a few days before Monday night. We have little bit problems, don't have many players available.
"Hopefully some of them come back, today we train the guys who don't play yesterday."
Dias will not be returning any time soon as he is ruled out for up to six weeks, though Ake, Cancelo, Steffen and Palmer are all to be assessed ahead of Monday's trip to the capital.
City will be seeking revenge when they face Crystal Palace, who beat the Premier League holders 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season.
Oliver Thomas
