Stones hobbled off during City’s win over Everton at Goodison Park in midweek with an ankle injury.

City boss Guardiola said the England international, who plays in both defence and midfield, faces a short spell on the sidelines.

It is another blow to the Premier League champions as they prepare to face Sheffield United at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow.

Norway striker Haaland has still not returned to full training after six matches out with a foot injury and the fixture comes too soon for Belgium stars De Bruyne and Doku.

“Nothing has changed,” responded Guardiola today when asked about player availability.

“We have the same injuries plus John Stones.”

United are bottom of the table, but they have produced some encouraging performances since Chris Wilder returned as manager.

After an unusually inconsistent spell, fourth-placed City’s win at Everton left them five points behind leaders Liverpool with a match in hand.

With the title race heating up, Guardiola anticipates a difficult afternoon tomorrow despite the Blades’ lowly position.

“Always in the past, we’ve had problems against Sheffield,” he said.

“They made an incredible performance against Aston Villa. They were close to winning the game.”

“It will be so, so tough, a bit like Crystal Palace. In the last games at home we couldn’t get results, in terms of victories, so we will try to be focused on what we have to do.”

The match will be City’s last of 2023, a year in which they won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, European Super Cup, and Club World Cup.

Asked to sum up the past 12 months, Guardiola gave an understated response.

“Not bad at all. Not bad. Could be better – always – but don’t be greedy too much. It was really good,” he said.