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Guardiola warns of 'real trouble' if City doesn't add defenders in January

Michael Steele / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City needs to add another defender or two in the January transfer window, warning that his ranks are quite thin at the back due to injuries.

Manchester City currently sits first in the Premier League having gone without a loss over 16 matches, but faces a busy schedule at the turn of the year, playing a match every three days or so all the way through to Jan. 6. That schedule congestion, coupled with injury concerns, has Guardiola worried.

"We are thinking about it," Guardiola said, as quoted by The Guardian's Jamie Jackson when asked of his defensive ranks. "In that department we have too few players and to handle all competitions we are in trouble, real trouble if this is the case. But I can't assure anything. We're going to see what will happen in January.

"Maybe we are thinking of looking at another central defender because of Vincent (Kompany's) problems, John Stones is four or five weeks out. And we miss an important player like (Benjamin) Mendy."

Kompany has battled numerous injuries over the last few seasons, and with four yellow cards to his name this year, he is also at risk of picking up a suspension. Mendy remains out until at least April with a knee injury, while Stones is slated to return from his hamstring injury after the new year.

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