By james art Brazil international Savinho was carried off on a stretcher during the second half of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat by Tottenham after kicking his ankle.
The 20-year-old remains a doubt for the Champions League clash at the Vitality Stadium, along with several of his team-mates, but there are hopes he will be back in action soon.
Guardiola told a press conference: “It was a blow, hard, but there was no fracture.”
Asked if there was a possibility he could travel to Bournemouth, Guardiola said: “Yes.”
The City boss did not elaborate on the other players on his injured list.
As well as long-term absentees Rodri and Oscar Bob, City currently have concerns over Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, Manuel Akanji and Yosko Guardiol.
PEP 💬 (Regarding Savinho’s injury) It was a blow, hard but no break. pic.twitter.com/0mMwM8l24p
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 1, 2024
“Tomorrow you will know, you will see,” Guardiola said when asked if anyone was close to a return.
“I have many doubts, most of them half-hearted. You will find out tomorrow.”
Guardiola usually likes to work with a small squad and accepts that at times like this the limitations of such an approach can be exposed.
Yet, having won 18 trophies since arriving at City in 2016, he knows sympathy is likely to be in short supply.
“Are you sure people don’t have sympathy?” he asked sarcastically. “It is what it is. It can happen at so many clubs. We are no exception.
“We are not the only club in the world in this modern football that has injuries. We have a lot in certain departments and certain positions, but it is what it is.
“I told the team a lot of times, ‘Guys, don’t feel sorry for yourself.’ The challenge is that tomorrow we will play with 11 players.”
Guardiola says the current situation does not make it more likely the club will look to strengthen in the January transfer window.
He said: “No, because maybe in January we will have the whole team ready except Rodri. Maybe Oscar will be the final stage (of his recovery).
“Maybe we’ll be together more.” When we are all together, the team is enough. It’s done, it’s nice, it’s top. We have to adapt and concentrate and win tomorrow.”