Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that John Stones, Jack Grealish and Mateo Kovacic are all ruled out of Saturday's Premier League trip to West Ham United due to injury.
Both Stones and Grealish were unable to represent England on international duty due to respective muscle and knee injuries, the former of whom is yet to play in the Premier League this season and has been absent since the Community Shield loss to Arsenal last month.
Grealish, meanwhile, has started two Premier League games and the UEFA Super Cup win over Sevilla so far this term, but he sustained his knee problem before the 5-1 win over Fulham prior to the international break.
As for Kovacic, he linked up with his Croatian teammates on international duty earlier this month, yet was an unused substitute in both Euro 2024 qualifiers against Latvia and Armenia due to a muscle problem.
Summer signing Kovacic has played in each of Man City's opening five games in all tournaments of the new season, but he, along with Stones and Grealish, will not be involved against West Ham and they are also unlikely to feature against Red Star Belgrade in their Champions League group-stage opener next Tuesday.
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Speaking about both Stones and Grealish at a press conference on Friday ahead of the trip to the London Stadium, Guardiola said: "They are both injured. They aren't able for tomorrow.
"I don't know (how long for) – I don't think they will be ready for Red Star but we will see, step by step.
"The injury for Jack is not muscular, but he has an incredible knock on his knee. Still the damage is there.
"John is still a little better, but has a disturbance in his muscles."
On Kovacic, Guardiola added: "It is something muscular, and not a big issue but he'll be out for tomorrow."
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Man City are also having to cope without long-term absentee Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring), but Guardiola himself is available to return to the dugout this weekend after spending three weeks in Barcelona recovering from a back operation.
"I'm getting better, said the Citizens boss. "Three weeks after surgery, step by step every week will be better."
Guardiola was pleased with the efforts of assistant coach Juanma Lillo and his players in the two games against Sheffield United and Fulham that he missed, adding: "(Watching from afar) normally happens when you have surgery. It was okay, Juanma and the players respond really well."
Man City are the only Premier League team who boast a 100% record after four matches this season and they will endeavour to remain at the top of the table when they take on an in-form West Ham side who have won three and drawn one of their first four games this term.
Oliver Thomas
