Manchester City defender John Stones will be sidelined for eight to ten weeks with a thigh injury, Pep Guardiola has confirmed.

The 30-year-old picked up the issue early in City’s 3-1 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid on February 19 and was substituted after just eight minutes. He will not require surgery but is expected to return in April, missing next month’s England camp.

City are also without Manuel Akanji, who faces up to 10 weeks out following surgery on an adductor injury sustained in the same match.

In positive news, Guardiola revealed that winger Oscar Bobb is nearing a return after seven months out with a leg injury, while Ruben Dias is fit after being benched against Liverpool for tactical reasons. A late decision will be made on Erling Haaland’s availability for Wednesday’s clash with Tottenham, as he continues recovering from a knee problem.