Manchester City have suffered a fresh blow with defender John Stones ruled out for up to five weeks with a muscle injury.
Stones suffered the injury in training before City flew to Ukraine to take on Shakhtar Donetsk in their opening Champions League game of the new campaign.
City boss Pep Guardiola revealed the news ahead of the group game tomorrow and it means he is now down to one fit central defender in Nicolas Otamendi, with Aymeric Laporte out long-term.
The loss of Stones, who came in for criticism for his part in the defensive blunders that led to City's 3-2 defeat at Norwich at the weekend, is a huge blow for the Blues.
John Stones got injured this morning,” said Guardiola.
“It's a muscular problem, he will be out for four to five weeks.
“It's an incredible challenge with just one central defender. What we will not do is complain that they are not able to play.”
Guardiola suggested Fernandinho could start against Shakhtar while teenagers Eric Garcia and Taylor Harwood-Bellis are also in contention.
"For me as a manager it’s an incredible challenge, just one central defender in Nico," he said in his press conference.
"But I believe a lot. People don’t know the spirit and resolve to solve this problem. The players going to come back with Dinho, Garcia, Harwood-Bellis.
"It’s happened, but what we are not going to do is complain. If they are not able, they are not able. We have to have 11 players on the pitch and I like it, to find a solution.
"For the players as well to find an incredible step forward. John and Aymer are injured for a long time."
City lost captain Vincent Kompany this summer and Guardiola opted against bringing in a replacement, deeming Harry Maguire too expensive.
The Premier League champions also loaned out Philippe Sandler to Anderlecht.
Guardiola also confirmed youngster Phil Foden has a virus and will miss the clash in Ukraine, as well as this weekend's visit of Watford in the Premier League.
