'We're in trouble' – Manchester City's shocking injury crisis leaves Pep Guardiola with just 13 fit outfield players

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will need his medical staff to work overtime amid a hugely worrying claim.

The defending Premier League champions are dropping like flies as two more stars were added to City's growing room of victims on Wednesday.

Manuel Akanji He had to retire from City Carabao Cup clash against Tottenham after suffering a calf injury during the warm-up, while electric winger Savinho was stretchered off in the second half with an ankle injury.

Star defender Rubén Dias was also substituted at half-time, although it appeared to be just a precautionary measure.

With injuries piling up, Guardiola admitted his team is “in trouble” and made a surprising revelation about how many fit players he has to work with.

“We have 13 players, we are in real difficulties,” Guardiola said after the 2-1 loss to Tottenham.

“The guys who play mostly end up with problems and we will see how they recover.

“I think we are in trouble, because in nine years we have never been in a situation with so many injuries.

“The players take a step forward, more together than ever, and we will try it this week in this short recovery time.”

Guardiola has already lost the defensive midfielder and recently Ballon d'Or winner Rodri for the season after tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Arsenal in September.

city ​​pattern Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne They are out due to knee and thigh injuries respectively, with no return date.

Young striker Oscar Bobb broke his leg in preseason and is still out, while they attack the duo Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish They have been sidelined for City's last few games.

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In worrying news, Guardiola does not expect Doku to return to action until after the November international break.

That's why the Spaniard needs his medical staff to perform miracles if City are to secure their fifth consecutive Premier League crown.

“If these guys do not return as quickly as possible, we will have difficulties, because we cannot sustain ourselves with only 14 or 15 players for the season,” Guardiola said.

“We need the players to come back.”

With the long list of absentees, Guardiola's astonishing claim of having only 13 fit outfield players stops when one takes a look at his first-team squad.

Erling Haaland, who was an unused substitute against Tottenham, is the only striker available.

Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic, James McAtee, Matheus Nunes and Bernardo Silva are the in-form midfielders.

As for defenders, Guardiola has Dias, Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol, Rico Lewis, John Stones and Josh Wilson-Esbrand available.

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Guardiola turned to several youth players against Tottenham, including midfielders Nico O'Reilly and Jacob Wright, as well as defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.

However, if City's injury crisis continues, more of the club's most promising academy stars could find themselves thrust into the first-team spotlight sooner rather than later.