Stones out for a month but Pep refuses to complain

SHOWS: KHARKIV, UKRAINE (SEPTEMBER 17, 2019) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER CITY MANAGER, PEP GUARDIOLA, SAYING:

"(REPORTER ASKING OFF CAMERA: Do you have other injury problems?) Yes. John Stones (REPORTER ASKING OFF CAMERA: What's the problem with John?) Injured this morning. (REPORTER ASKING OFF CAMERA: In training?) Yes. (REPORTER ASKING OFF CAMERA: How bad is it?) Month. Four-five weeks, six weeks. (REPORTER ASKING OFF CAMERA: What's he done?) Muscular problem. "

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER CITY MANAGER, PEP GUARDIOLA, SAYING:

"And what we are not going to do is complaining about it. They are not able - they are not able. So we have to make 11 players on the pitch, we make extra effort. And I like it, to prove myself that we are able to find a solution for the team and for the players as well. To give an incredible step forward, solution to this problem that we have. And the important two central defenders like John and Aymeric are injured for a long time."

STORY: Manchester City's defensive woes deepened ahead of their opening Champions League clash away at Shakhtar Donetsk as centre back John Stones was ruled out with a muscle injury.

City manager Pep Guardiola broke the news during his pre-match news conference.

"Injured this morning," Guardiola told reporters, confirming the injury occurred during Tuesday's (September 17) training session.

Fresh from a shock 3-2 Premier League defeat by promoted Norwich City and with French centre back Aymeric Laporte out injured until January or February, the news that Stones could now miss five weeks gives Guardiola a headache.

Despite the mounting injuries, the City boss insists he will not complain and his squad is capable of pulling it off.