Sergio Aguero has been ruled out of Manchester City’s clash with Chelsea after failing to overcome an abductor injury.
And Pep Guardiola will also be without Kevin de Bruyne, who is still recovering from knee ligament damage.
The Premier League champions were hopeful of having Aguero back for the visit to Stamford Bridge after resting him for the wins against Bournemouth and Watford.
Doctors warned Guardiola that Aguero risked long-term injury if he played through the pain barrier – but the expectation was that he would be back for Chelsea.
De Bruyne had set himself his own target of returning for the clash with Maurizio Sarri’s side, but the game has come too soon for the Belgian.
Meanwhile, Guardiola brushed off Sarri’s claims City are the best team in Europe.
The Catalan said: “Thank you, but we are not the best. To be the best we have to win titles and we haven’t done that yet.”
Guardiola was also praised Sarri’s impact at Chelsea, despite the recent defeats to Tottenham and Wolves.
“The job he has done so far is excellent. People don’t know how difficult it is to play in a special way. He needs time.
“The last two games, Tottenham and Wolves, were so difficult. This can happen. During pre-season we played them in the Community Shield and it was already his team.
“Tomorrow we have a very demanding test for us. I can imagine how intense and committed they will be to not go three defeats in a row. That’s why it’s a good test.
“It’s always difficult there. I’ve been there many times and only won once. Most of the time I lost there.
“Over the last 20 years they are a good side, a really good team. They have excellent players on the bench, they are a really good contender.”
