John Stones ruled out for up to TEN weeks as Pep Guardiola confirms huge injury blow for Man City and England ahead of Thomas Tuchel's first national team camp

The England international picked up a thigh injury during Manchester City's 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League. Stones' injury is a significant blow for Guardiola's squad, as the 30-year-old will be unavailable for at least two months. However, Guardiola confirmed that the defender will not require surgery.

Sharing an update on Stones' injury, Guardiola told reporters: "No, (he will not need) surgery. He can be recovered during eight to 10 weeks without surgery.”

Stones' injury comes at a time when City are already dealing with the absence of another key defender, Manuel Akanji, who is expected to be out for a similar period due to an adductor injury that requires surgery. It also comes as bad news for England, with Stones now set to miss the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia, which will see newly-appointed head coach Thomas Tuchel make his debut on the touchline.

In more positive news for City, Guardiola revealed that winger Oscar Bobb is edging closer to a return after a long spell on the sidelines. The 21-year-old has been recovering from a leg injury that has kept him out of action for nearly seven months after fracturing a bone during a training session in August.

“Yesterday (Monday) we spoke with the doctors and he feels really, really good and much, much better than when he came back. He had a problem in the ‘meta’, some disturbance, and could not run properly," he told reporters.

“That’s why at the end he came back, stopped, came back, stopped, and at the end with the doctors wisely decided, ‘OK stop until you feel this little discomfort that you have in your ankle can be better and can train’. I think he’s in the last part (of recovery), and I think he’ll be back soon. But I said that one month ago and still he’s not here, so hopefully this time it can happen.”

City are also keeping a close eye on Erling Haaland's fitness ahead of their trip to Tottenham. The Norwegian striker has missed the last two games due to a knee issue sustained during City's victory over Newcastle United earlier this month. Guardiola confirmed that the club will make a late decision regarding Haaland’s involvement in the upcoming match.