By JACK GAUGHAN
Published: 17:30 EST, 6 January 2026 | Updated: 17:30 EST, 6 January 2026
Pep Guardiola admitted that he had wanted to rotate the team more before Manchester City were struck by a defensive injury crisis.
Scans have confirmed that vice-captain Ruben Dias is set to miss up to six weeks with a hamstring problem sustained during the 1-1 draw with Chelsea, piling on the issues for Guardiola after Josko Gvardiol broke his right leg in the same game.
It leaves City with Nathan Ake and Abdukodir Khusanov as their only senior central defenders, Guardiola claiming to have 'no idea' when John Stones is returning and giving the clearest indication yet that the England international is leaving in the summer.
Gvardiol and Dias started 11 of the last 12 Premier League games, City's boss aware of the need to keep pace with a consistent Arsenal in the title race. They go into Wednesday's clash with Brighton six points behind the leaders after dropping four points in a matter of days.
'I would like to have given Khusa more games instead of Ruben maybe,' Guardiola said. 'He's played a lot of games. But there is no Rodri there and I wanted characters on the pitch. Ruben is an incredible leader. Ruben gives us stability.
'I've always been a guy to rotate – not like Bayer Leverkusen, 10 players, which proved to me that it's too much for the stability. But with two, three or four players you can do it.
Pep Guardiola has suggested he should have rotated his team more amid Manchester City's defensive injury crisis
He also admitted he has 'no idea' when John Stones will return from his latest absence
'I don't have any doubts we have a good heart. I saw when they were exhausted in the first 15 minutes against Chelsea. We'll find some solutions. If you are tired, it is in your mind.'
Khusanov has not started a league game since September, while Ake's fitness requires managing and the Dutchman struggles to play consecutive matches.
Guardiola has generally selected the same starting line-up for league fixtures since October and now believes the club must be 'creative' this month to counter the issues.
The 54-year-old ruled out bringing back either Vitor Reis or Manuel Akanji, on loan at Girona and Inter respectively, and talked up the potential for Nico Gonzalez to fill in as a centre half.
Max Alleyne has been recalled from Watford and will feature against Exeter City in the FA Cup this weekend but Guardiola's suggestion of creativity in the transfer window indicates a left-field option away from Marc Guehi, who they have enquired about signing this month.
City are planning big defensive changes anyway, with Stones and Ake both out of contract at the end of the season.
'What happened in the last two seasons will define the decision at the end of the season,' Guardiola said of Stones.
'Right now, I don't know when he will be back. I would like to know the answer but I don't know. He didn't train with us. He didn't make training sessions so it's not like 'I'm ready, now I'll play'.
'There are few players who can play after one or two training sessions and the other ones need a little bit longer. John is one of those cases.'
Manchester City