Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva will be unavailable to face Newcastle United on Saturday.
Bernardo Silva’s future at City has looked uncertain at points this summer, although it now looks like he will be staying at the Etihad Stadium for at least one more season.
However, the 29-year-old Portuguese star will not be available for City’s home Premier League opener against Newcastle on Saturday.
Guardiola rules out Bernardo involvement
Speaking to the media on Friday afternoon, Guardiola confirmed Bernardo’s absence.
“Bernardo will be back soon. Next week [he] will be ready,” the City boss said.
The Portugal international missed City’s midweek UEFA Super Cup triumph against Sevilla due to illness and did not travel to Greece with the squad.
It was thought that Bernardo would recover in time for the match, but instead, it looks like he will return for the trip to Sheffield United on Sunday, 27 August.
He will be joined on the sidelines by Kevin de Bruyne and John Stones.
De Bruyne injured his hamstring against Burnley last week and will be unavailable for three to five months after undergoing surgery.
Stones missed the Burnley and Sevilla matches after suffering muscle discomfort during a training session. Guardiola admitted he does not know when the English defender will be available again.
Bernardo played the full 90 minutes of City’s 3-0 win against Burnley last week in the opening match of the Premier League season.
How City might set up without Bernardo
With no Bernardo to call upon, Guardiola may decide to start Cole Palmer on the right wing as he did against Sevilla.
He could decide to deploy Phil Foden on the right flank, although the 23-year-old might be needed to play more centrally in the absences of De Bruyne and Bernardo.
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