Pep Guardiola will tackle his Manchester City injury crisis by digging into his Barcelona past.
And the Blues boss has already identified Fernandinho as the man who can emulate Nou Camp great Javier Mascherano for the Blues.
Guardiola suffered another big blow when John Stones was ruled out for up to five weeks after sustaining another thigh injury in training on Tuesday morning.
With Aymeric Laporte already out, possibly until February, with a knee injury, and after the club failed to replace Vincent Kompany in the summer, they are down to one fit centre back.
And that one, Nicolas Otamendi, was on the verge of leaving the club in the summer, desperate for first team football after being fourth choice last season.
But Guardiola has already identified Fernandinho as the man to step into a crisis, while he also name-checked academy pair Eric Garcia – who is with the squad in Kharkiv for the Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk – and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, as being part of his thinking.
“It's a big challenge, for me as a manager - we've got just one centre back - but I believe a lot in the spirit and commitment and everyone must make a step forward,” he said.
“I think we can come back with [Fernandinho] Dinho, [Eric] Garcia, [Taylor Harwood-]Bellis for the next months. Sometimes these situations happen and we are not going to complain.
“If they are not able they are not able. We are going to get 11 players out and I like to test my self, to find a solution to these problems. John and Aymeric are injured for a long time.”
Guardola has already trialled Fernandinho as a centre back, notably against Arsenal last season.
And the Brazil midfielder has trained specifically in that role this summer, once it became clear that the club would not sign Harry Maguire.
Fernandinho has not started a game yet this season after arriving late for pre-season – he was injured whilst on Copa America duty in the summer.
When asked if he could be his new Mascherano, Guardiola replied: “Yep, we haven't many options. He arrived back late and he's 34 years.
“That's why he hasn't played longer - he trained last week in the internationals really well. I had some time with him.
“With his experience and personality, he played there in that position a few games and now we are going to use him in that position with Nico.”
