Pep Guardiola has issued an injury update on three key players ahead of Manchester City's clash against Chelsea. Mauricio Pochettino will welcome the Premier League champions to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon in what is expected to be a blockbuster bout.

While the Blues will be without the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia, City have had their fair share of injuries and will be without Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Guardiola revealed how the former is getting on.

"I spoke to him two days ago and he feels really good but he isn't training with us, not running much," said the Spaniard, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News. "I think, I don't know, these kind of injuries it's better not to put pressure.

"When he feels good and the doctors are confident we can take the next step. You don't want to go too early and have to go back again. Kevin was a tough injury, surgery, so step by step."

When quizzed on Stones, Guardiola cast doubt as to whether the England international would even be fit to face Liverpool at the end of November. He said: "He's injured. He's not ready for Chelsea and we'll see after the international break.

"I don't know [if he'll be ready for Liverpool]. The doctor said to me it's not as bad [as first thought] but I don't know. When he's going to be fit again he'll come back."

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In the absence of Stones, Guardiola was asked whether Josko Gvardiol could fill in as a makeshift holding midfielder. The 52-year-old replied: "Yeah maybe, but he needs to prove it in training and in some drills we do.

"Still I didn't see it. Maybe in the future, he is only 21, when John came we didn't think he could do it but we've been eight years together many training sessions and concepts and it's there."

Then on Manuel Akanji, Guardiola kept it short but sweet. The 52-year-old said: "Good. Trained today and trained good."