City's defensive problems worsen as Stones ruled out

Posted December 10, 2019 6:00 am

The Associated Press

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) - Manchester City's problems in central defense have worsened after John Stones was ruled out for a few weeks because of a hamstring injury.

Stones was injured in City's 2-1 loss to fierce rival Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday.

City manager Pep Guardiola gave the injury prognosis on Tuesday, a day before the team plays Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League. City has already qualified for the knockout stage.

City is short of numbers in central defense, with long-time captain Vincent Kompany leaving in the offseason - and not being replaced - and Aymeric Laporte sustaining a serious knee injury at the start of the season.

Guardiola has been playing Fernandinho, a defensive midfielder, at center back. With Stones out, Nicolas Otamendi is the only other senior player available to partner Fernandinho for a busy month when City plays in three competitions - the Champions League, the Premier League and quarterfinals of the English League Cup.

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