Pep Guardiola confirms major Man City injury boost as new signing revealed

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·21 January 2025

Pep Guardiola confirms major Man City injury boost as new signing revealed

Fresh faces join Premier League champions as key man returns from absence

Manchester City have been handed a major injury boost ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain.

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John Stones, who has not featured since December’s loss at Aston Villa, has travelled to the French capital for the game.

Fellow defender Ruben Dias, who had missed five league games with injury played the full 90 minutes in their 6-0 thrashing of Ipswich Town on Sunday and is also fit.

"Ruben is back, John is back, and the people up front, they are coming back as well. Thanks for that, now game by game, let's see what happens," Guardiola told reporters on Tuesday.

With two matches still remaining in the new league phase, City are looking to claw their way up the Champions League table. The top eight teams qualify automatically for the last 16, while teams finishing ninth to 24th will compete in two-legged knockout playoffs to secure their spot in the last 16.

"Step by step the players are coming back and hopefully we can be there in the Premier League and qualify here. Today John came back to the team, that is incredibly good news for us," Guardiola said.

"We can add to the position that we struggled a lot all season. We could not find our rhythm and the guys who have been with us, I could not demand (a faster return) from them as there was a fear of being injured."

"We could not sustain the intensity that has defined in the past nine years but now hopefully we (can) do it. Now comes the toughest period of the season... the challenge is there, and we go for it."

Both City and PSG have struggled in the Champions League this season, with PSG 25th on seven points. Guardiola had kind words for PSG coach Luis Enrique, who is his friend.

"I want from the deepest of my heart a horrible performance from PSG tomorrow, so we can beat them, but it will be 95 minutes and afterwards the relation (with Luis Enrique) will return to how it always has been," he said.

"Our families are really, really close. There are friendships that will be eternal, forever. I love them, I think they love us. We have an incredible connection... We are happy when we can see each other."

City have completed the signing of Brazilian defender Vitor Reis from Palmeiras.

Fresh faces: Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis in Man City training

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The 19-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Premier League champions, who brought in Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov on the same length contract on Monday.

"I'm excited to join Manchester City, one of the biggest clubs in the world," Reis said.

"Everyone has seen the amazing achievements in recent seasons and I want to make my mark as we seek more trophies.

"Working with Pep Guardiola is something every young player wants to do and I know he can help me to develop into the best player I can be.

"City also have a lot of experience of working with Brazilian footballers and joining the likes of Ederson and Savinho in the squad will be a big help to me."

City's director of football Txiki Begiristain added: "Vitor Reis is one of the most promising young defenders in the world and we're delighted to been able to bring him here.

"He is excellent on the ball and outstanding in the air - he has all the attributes needed to be one of the best.

"Vitor is very young, but his quality is so high that we believe he can help us now and for a long time into the future."