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Manchester City defender John Stones is facing a lay-off after suffering an injury in the holders\u2019 Champions League stroll against Young Boys on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The England international was withdrawn at half-time at the Etihad Stadium.<\/p>\n
Manager Pep Guardiola described the loss of Stones as the \u201cdeep bad news\u201d from a night when City secured their place in the last 16 for an 11th successive year with an otherwise straightforward 3-0 win.<\/p>\n
Guardiola said: \u201cIt\u2019s muscular, he is injured, so he\u2019ll be a while out. It is a pity for him because he\u2019s an incredible professional.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe tried to do it but it\u2019s bad news for us. It\u2019s the deep bad news for tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
The news is a further blow for Stones, who has already missed two months of the season with a hamstring problem.<\/p>\n
Fellow defender Manuel Akanji also missed the game after a blow to the back in training but, despite looking \u201c75 years old\u201d in Guardiola\u2019s words, the manager added \u201chopefully it will not be a big issue and he could be ready for Sunday\u201d.<\/p>\n
One player apparently untroubled was Erling Haaland, who made light of the ankle problem that curtailed him on Saturday to score two of City\u2019s goals in a one-sided encounter with the Swiss champions.<\/p>\n
Phil Foden also got on the scoresheet as City won their fourth Group G game in succession to secure progress with two games to spare.<\/p>\n
Guardiola said of Haaland, who was substituted on the hour: \u201cYesterday we saw how he moved and how happy he was and he felt good. I said, OK and for us he\u2019s so important.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter the job was almost done, he took a rest for (the game against Chelsea on) Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n
Guardiola was pleased with his side\u2019s achievement but, with RB Leipzig three points behind, maintained he would not ease up until top spot in the group was secured.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cWe\u2019ve already qualified but still the job is not done because we have to finish first. It\u2019s better to have the second leg in the last 16 at home than away because at home we feel confident.<\/p>\n
\u201cStill you have a job to do but the first step is done and I\u2019m really impressed.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was a miserable night for Young Boys, who ended the game with 10 men after Sandro Lauper was sent off for a second bookable offence.<\/p>\n
Coach Raphael Wicky said: \u201cWe\u2019re obviously not happy. We\u2019re not happy with the performance we\u2019ve made but we know it\u2019s very difficult to get something here.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew if we want to get a point or a win, we needed to have the perfect game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw some good stuff in the first half but it\u2019s very difficult to defend against Man City. They always have chances.\u201d<\/p>\n