Rayan Ait-Nouri suffers injury concern in Manchester City’s draw with Nottingham Forest, reveals Pep Guardiola | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has revealed the injury concern that led to Rayan Ait-Nouri’s withdraw from action in the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.

The Algerian international, who has become a mainstay in the City backline, was seen clutching his hamstring shortly before being replaced in the second half of the midweek stalemate.

His absence was felt immediately as City conceded a late equaliser to Elliot Anderson, leaving the Blues seven points adrift of league leaders Arsenal and heightening concerns over the squad’s defensive depth during a gruelling March schedule.

Ait-Nouri’s importance cannot be overstated, particularly with his ability to invert into midfield and provide the “extra passes” manager Pep Guardiola craves.

With a defining FA Cup fifth round clash against Newcastle on the horizon and the Champions League last-16 double-header against Real Madrid fast approaching, any prolonged absence for the 24-year-old would be a significant tactical blow for City.

What happened to Rayan Ait-Nouri against Nottingham Forest?

Speaking to reporters ahead of City’s FA Cup tie at St James’ Park, Guardiola opened up on the progression of Rayan Ait-Nouri in terms of performance levels, alongside an update on the Algerian’s fitness.

“He’s playing really, really good,” Guardiola told the media from the City Football Academy.

“Unfortunately in the last game [against Nottingham Forest] he had some niggles in the legs, he didn’t feel comfortable at all, so that’s why we didn’t want to take a risk.”

Looking over the former Wolves man’s performances, Guardiola continued, “He made a step forward a lot in the last games, understanding what we want, what we need, and his quality with the ball is fantastic.

“He gives us extra passes, and defensively he’s more aggressive and more fast that people could think about it. And the question of working the line, he’s getting better.”

Who could step in at St James’ Park?

With Ait-Nouri now a doubt for Saturday night’s trip to the North-East, Guardiola may be forced to turn to the versatility of Nathan Ake, the surging form of Matheus Nunes in a makeshift role, or a recovering Nico O’Reilly following his own fitness problems.

The timing is particularly frustrating given the manager’s glowing praise of Ait-Nouri’s tactical evolution and his ‘understanding of the line’ being a key factor in City’s defensive stability throughout recent weeks.

Medical staff will be expected to conduct a final fitness test before the squad travels to Newcastle, and should Ait-Nouri fail to make the squad, it could signal a more cautious approach for the definitive European showdown at the Bernabéu on Wednesday.