Pep Guardiola's injury picture has changed significantly this weekend after a number of recently injured players returned to Manchester City's matchday squad.

After Wednesday night's 2-1 defeat at Tottenham, which resulted in their fourth-round exit from the Carabao Cup, the Premier League champions will immediately look to return to winning ways.

However, the evening in north London was marked by injury chaos for Pep Guardiola and his players after Savinho, Manuel Akanji and Josko Gvardiol appeared to hint at a growing problem in City's first-team squad with a reference to Ruben Dias.

However, upon arriving at the Vitality Stadium for the latest Premier League game and confirming the official team news, there were clear changes for Guardiola and his busy squad.

Those returning to the squad on matchday and contributing on the south coast include club captain Kyle Walker and Manuel Akanji, who both started against Bournemouth. Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Savinho are also in the matchday squad due to their respective problems.

This means that Manchester City has to do without six first-team players due to varying periods of absence, and the goalkeeper is also the third choice Scott Carson Making way given the return of other first team stars.

Ruben Dias And John Stones are the most notable new absentees, with Pep Guardiola revealing ahead of kick-off at the Vitality Stadium that both centre-backs will be out for “a bit longer”.

Jack Grealish remains absent after suffering an injury in training following Manchester City's dramatic 1-2 away win against Wolves in the Premier League Oscar Bobb And Rodri be left out in the longer term.

After facing Bournemouth on the south coast, Manchester City will play in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening, taking on Sporting CP in the Portuguese capital.

They round off their final group of games a week from today with a clash against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium, before the final international break of the calendar year provides some much-needed rest for Guardiola and his struggling side.