Man City dealt major injury blow amid Arsenal and Liverpool title fight as Haaland and De Bruyne updates given

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted an ankle injury to key defender John Stones "doesn't look good" after the former Everton player was forced off during Wednesday's 3-1 win at Goodison Park, in a potential boost to Arsenal and Liverpool in the Premier League title battle.

The Toffees looked to be doing Arsenal a favour in the Premier League title race as they took the lead via Jack Harrison in the first half. However, City responded with three second half goals to move three points behind Arsenal, with both sides having played the same number of games.

Liverpool are a further two points ahead of the Gunners but Jurgen Klopp's side have played a game more, with Arsenal in action against West Ham United on Thursday. However, City are facing the prospect of being without Stones for a period, as he limped off just before half time. Guardiola said, via Liverpool World: "It doesn't look good, but we will see. It's his ankle."

The blow comes at a time when City could be boosted by the return of midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who has been out with injury since August. He could be back for their weekend fixture against Sheffield United but Erling Haaland is set to remain out with a foot problem as Arsenal aim to maintain their advantage over City.

Guardiola added: “He [Haaland] is training alone but he is not training with the team yet. I'm not a doctor. He had a stress in the bone in his feet and it's so painful. He's not a skinny guy like Phil Foden, he's huge and tall so it is more difficult sometimes. When he will be fine, he will be back and play but the doctors come every morning and say which players are available. I create the team and we play the games.

“Kevin is close but he had fatigue yesterday and we have to be careful. When he was injured for three months, if you don't handle the timings good you can get injured again. The injury was serious so step by step but he's training with us and he is so positive so soon he will be back. I'd love for him to play the next game or Huddersfield but what is important is keeping him fit for a long time, not for one game or another.”