Sheffield United could face injury-hit Manchester City after Sergio Aguero joined growing casualty list

Aguero, City's record goalscorer, could be out for another month after suffering a muscular injury in Saturday's game at West Ham.

Gabriel Jesus is also injured, leaving City without a frontline striker for their Champions League clash with Marseille tonight.

Fernandinho, Benjamin Mendy and Nathan Ake also miss out at the Stade Velodrome, while Aymeric Laporte and Kevin De Bruyne have only just returned to fitness in a difficult start to the season.

The Blades have severe injury concerns of their own, with key men Jack O'Connell and John Fleck sidelined. Lys Mousset is also injured, while Max Lowe suffered a concussion on his Premier League debut against Fulham.

"We are not an exception compared to the other teams in Europe. We're on the same schedule," Guardiola said.

"Now it is recovery, preparation, recovery and preparation, recovery and preparation.

"We don't have time to practise much. Everyone got the statistics - in the Premier League, we have 47 per cent more muscular injuries than the same period last season. It's not just about City, it's about everyone.

"If the people can reflect on this and the guys to protect the players it will be good for the future, if we don't it will increase. Now we have to protect the players as best as possible. The strongest ones will survive, the others will fall down."

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