Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided an update on the fitness of defender John Stones ahead of Wednesday's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium.
Stones was sidelined with a foot injury for defeats against Bournemouth, Sporting Lisbon and Brighton & Hove Albion before returning to the starting lineup for City's heavy 4-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur just over a week ago.
However, the 30-year-old had to be withdrawn at half time against the North Londoners and has subsequently missed the Citizens' last two games, including a 2-0 defeat to Premier League rivals Liverpool on Sunday.
Man City are vying to end a miserable seven-game winless run in all competitions when they take on sixth-placed Nottingham Forest, but they will have to cope without the presence of Stones once again.
Discussing whether Stones is closing in on a return at a press conference on Tuesday, Guardiola said: "No, not close.
"Still is injured. He has a problem with his feet. I don't know (when he may return), but not for the next week."
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Stones ruled out, but will De Bruyne start?
Stones will therefore remain in the Man City treatment room along with long-term absentees Rodri (ACL), Oscar Bobb (leg fracture) and Mateo Kovacic (unspecified), the latter of whom could return just before Christmas.
Meanwhile, Guardiola has spoken positively on the fitness of Kevin De Bruyne, who has experienced a disputed 2024-25 campaign due to a niggling groin issue that he sustained in September.
Following a 10-game spell on the sidelines between mid-September and the beginning of November, De Bruyne has since featured as a substitute in each of Man City's last five matches, including a 12-minute cameo in the defeat to Liverpool.
Asked when De Bruyne could be handed a start in the near future, Guardiola said: "He is closer and even better in the last few days, he's even better."
De Bruyne assisted goals scored by Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland in a 2-0 win for Man City the last time that they butted heads with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in April of last season.
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Guardiola says "it will be a big mistake" to reflect on the past
Following a disappointing run of results, Guardiola is keen to focus on what can happen in the future as it would be a "big mistake" to reflect on the past.
"I said before that we can't talk about results we had in the past or concentrate on the big targets, it will be a big mistake," said the Citizens boss.
"We have to try to beat a team (Nottingham Forest) that is close to us, take advantage and close in on the top four, that is the target. After we will see what happens, but we will try to win games that's what we have to try to do.
"We are not far away from second, but always it is the way you play, the consistency you have in the boxes, and many things that give you positive thoughts, not what's going to happen in the future.
"There is a team that has been magnificent in Liverpool, and after that we can't fight against the situation. We have to win games, make our game when we have our moments be more productive. Step-by-step go forward."
Man City currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, level on points with Brighton in fourth and one point ahead of Forest in sixth, while they are also 11 points behind leaders Liverpool after 13 matches.
Oliver Thomas
