‘PROTECT MY STARS’

PEP GUARDIOLA has asked referees to protect his players after claiming that Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling might have been seriously injured against Tottenham.

De Bruyne (below) was crocked by Dele Alli and Sterling by Harry Kane, and the Manchester City boss is worried someone will get badly hurt.

He made his plea as he revealed that Phil Foden will be out for at least a month with ankle ligament damage suffered against Leicester in midweek.

“We were lucky with Raheem and Kevin against Spurs,” said Guardiola. “But we were unlucky with Phil against Leicester.

“I accept referees have to be careful about the diving players. OK, but we need to be careful to protect the players. The most important thing is to protect them.”