With key players sidelined due to injuries, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is turning to the club’s academy for support. Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe offered a cryptic update on Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon’s fitness ahead of their crucial match against Arsenal, with both players recovering from minor injuries. As both teams prepare for their upcoming fixtures, the injury concerns remain a major talking point.
Man City Injury Crisis: Guardiola Turns to Academy
Pep Guardiola is ready to rely on Manchester City’s academy talent as injuries impact his squad.
City faced more injury setbacks in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup loss to Tottenham, with Savinho stretchered off in tears and Manuel Akanji limping off during the pre-game warmup.
Ballon d’Or winner Rodri was sidelined for the season as a result of an ACL tear sustained in the home draw against Arsenal on September 22, while Kevin De Bruyne has been absent since the Champions League match with Inter Milan on September 18.
Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, Jérémy Doku, and Oscar Bobb were already injured, and Guardiola mentioned that Rúben Dias has been playing despite an issue. After Wednesday’s match, Guardiola confirmed that De Bruyne, Grealish, and Walker wouldn’t return until after the next international break.
When asked about player availability for the trip to Bournemouth at his Friday press conference, Guardiola said, “Tomorrow you will see [who is available]; I have many doubts, half and half.
“It happens in many clubs and we’re not the only club in the world to be going through it. There are a lot [of injuries] in certain departments and positions, but it is what it is.”
“We are using them [the academy players] because we are in an emergency in certain positions, but some of them, we trust them, like in the past,” When asked about the role of the club’s youth setup during a spell of bad injury luck, Guardiola responded.
“They help us, that’s why the academy is there … We don’t have other options, sometimes.”
Guardiola mentioned that Savinho’s injury from the Spurs defeat was not as severe as initially thought, as the Brazil international did not suffer an ankle fracture.
The Catalan coach refrained from commenting on whether the increasing number of absentees would influence his decisions in the January transfer window.
“Maybe in January we will have all the players back except Rodri,” Guardiola said. “When we are all together, the squad is enough when completely focused and fit. For now we just have to try to recover players as quick as possible and then we will see.”
City will visit Bournemouth on Saturday before traveling to Lisbon to take on Ruben Amorim’s Sporting CP, managed by the new Manchester United boss, on Tuesday.
Amorim will stay with Sporting until the international break, officially starting his role with Guardiola’s rivals on November 11.
Howe Gives Cryptic Update on Isak, Gordon Injuries
After beating Chelsea in the League Cup, Newcastle face a tougher challenge against Arsenal on Saturday.
The Gunners are title contenders, boosted by Rodri’s injury, while Newcastle, a step behind, fight for Champions League qualification.
After reaching the Champions League in 2022/23, Newcastle missed out on European qualification last season.
Newcastle have struggled this season after a weak transfer window, falling behind clubs like Chelsea that made key improvements.
Ahead of Saturday’s game, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe gave a cryptic update on Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, stating, “They both feel OK, but we’ll assess them today after the game. Both have had minor injuries, so we’ll decide who’s fit for Arsenal.”
Gordon and Isak started in the League Cup win over Chelsea but were subbed off after an hour with Newcastle 2-0 up.
With Isak and Gordon not seriously injured and crucial to Newcastle’s success, it’s unlikely either will miss this game, especially with the team’s last Premier League win on Sept. 15.
A clearer update from Newcastle is expected before the Arsenal match, but with no serious injuries, Gordon and Isak should be available for this key game at St. James’s Park.
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