John Stones sends clear message to Pep Guardiola after brutal Man City injury blow

Rodri is acceptable to miss the remainder of the play aft undergoing genu surgery, leaving Pep Guardiola with a headache successful the antiaircraft midfield relation helium has made his own

John Stones has told Pep Guardiola helium is acceptable to measurement into the Manchester City void near successful the aftermath of Rodri's devastating injury.

The Spanish midfielder's season-ending wounded has near a gaping spread successful the squad, and portion Rico Lewis was fixed a spell against Newcastle, it didn't rather click. Now, looking up to Tuesday Champions League showdown with Slovan Bratislava, Stones has thrown his chapeau into the ring, having shone successful a akin relation before.

Discussing Rodri's influence, Stones said: "It was hard quality for america each to take. I spoke to him and he's doing well. He's recovering well. The modular he's acceptable implicit the past fewer seasons, it's been incredible. But we person a batch of prime successful a batch of players much than susceptible of filling successful in that position.

Asked astir his ain acquisition successful the position, Stones explained: "I emotion it. It's a wholly antithetic look connected the game, and gives you an appreciation of the crippled of players that person played successful there.

"It gives you an knowing of the game, learning from a defender's constituent of presumption astir erstwhile to person the shot and erstwhile to walk the ball.

He added: "I ever bask it and effort to improve, each clip I spell successful there. I deliberation that's each the gaffer wants from us, to spell and amusement our qualities, due to the fact that helium puts america determination for a reason. Then it's astir america going retired and doing our job."

City are expected to predominate their Slovakian opponents, who were thrashed 5-0 by Celtic successful their opening match, but Guardiola is refusing to underestimate them. Despite being without Kevin De Bruyne, Guardiola is boosted by the instrumentality of Phil Foden, who has been sidelined for astir of the play owed to unwellness and injuries.

Guardiola said: "I've learned successful my vocation to instrumentality thing for granted. And this hostile played with courage. I deliberation a batch (about the Champions League), and sometime I overthink. Maybe I tin person doubts astir galore things, but Phil Foden is going to beryllium back.

"He was the champion subordinate successful the Premier League past season, truthful we request him. Wow, he's an important, important subordinate for us. The mode helium trains, his passion, he's going to beryllium backmost and he's going to assistance us."

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