Pep Guardiola delivers John Stones injury verdict ahead of Nottingham Forest trip

Manchester City will remain without centre-back John Stones for Saturday’s visit to the City Ground in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola has confirmed.

The Premier League champions are looking to retain their newly reclaimed spot at the top of the table this weekend after beating Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Second half goals from Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland helped the Blues to an important victory in North London, after Bukayo Saka’s penalty cancelled out Kevin De Bruyne’s opening goal.

Pep Guardiola’s side travel to the City Ground for the first time since 2001 on Saturday, with the Blues coming up against a rejuvenated Nottingham Forest side who are unbeaten in four of their past five league matches.

The Blues will however remain without central-back John Stones, as the England defender continues to recover from a hamstring injury.

The 28 year-old was forced off against Arsenal in the FA Cup late last month, with the subsequent hamstring injury sidelining the defender for up to a month.

Stones, who has missed matches against Spurs and Villa as well as Wednesday’s win over the Gunners, is “getting better” according to the Manchester City manager.

Speaking on Friday, Guardiola confirmed that the defender would miss Saturday’s match against Forest and didn’t reveal when the Englishman could return to action.

City face RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League in midweek before concluding the month against Bournemouth and Bristol City.

Stones has made 16 starts for the Blues so far this season and has struggled with a series of injury setbacks already this campaign.