Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and John Stones are all ruled out of Saturday's Premier League clash with Sheffield United at the Etihad Stadium.
De Bruyne has spent the longest period on the sidelines as he has not featured for the Citizens since August due to a hamstring injury.
The midfielder has recently taken part in first-team training but is still some way off reaching full fitness, while both Haaland and Doku are yet to return to full training with the senior squad.
While Doku has not played since sustaining a muscle injury in the 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on December 3, Haaland has missed City's last six games in all competitions with a "bone stress reaction" in his foot.
Stones is the latest name to enter the treatment room after he landed awkwardly on his ankle after blocking Everton striker Beto towards the end of the first half in City's 3-1 win at Goodison Park on Wednesday.
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All four players are now targeting a return at some stage in the New Year as Guardiola has revealed that "nothing has changed" on the injury front ahead of this weekend's meeting with Sheffield United.
Asked to deliver a fitness update at a press conference on Friday, Guardiola said: "Nothing has changed from the last games. The same are injured plus John Stones."
On a positive note, Ruben Dias is expected to be involved in the matchday squad against the Blades as he has taken part in training this week after missing the trip to Everton through illness.
Guardiola has also confirmed that Jack Grealish will be available to play despite the terrible ordeal that he and his family suffered on Wednesday night when their house was raided, with over £1m of jewellery allegedly stolen.
"[Grealish's] family was inside, it is what it is today, modern days, with many things happening," said Guardiola.
"It was a bad moment for him and his family but fortunately the family was not [harmed]."
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Man City enter Saturday's clash sitting fourth in the Premier League table and five points behind leaders Liverpool who have played a game more.
Discussing Sheffield United's style of play and potential threats, Guardiola said: "Similar with Everton, long balls, second balls. Transition, they defend so deep and attack on the transition.
"Don't make mistakes. A lot of intensity and attack in the right moments. My experience against Chris [Wilder] at Sheffield United was really difficult. We have problems with them in the past when we won with a little margin.
"They were close to win the Aston Villa game. It'll be so tough like the Crystal Palace game. Long balls to [Oli] McBurnie and the others. The last games at home we couldn't get the victories. We must try to be focused on what we need to do."
Man City claimed all three points at the death in their last encounter with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in August, as Rodri netted an 88th-minute winner to seal a 2-1 victory.
Oliver Thomas
