Pep battling with growing casualties

PEP Guardiola faces a mounting injury crisis in City’s bid to secure Champions League football.

Sergio Aguero will miss today’s lunchtime kick-off against Crystal Palace with a groin injury, while David Silva remains a doubt despite returning to training from a knee problem.

Claudio Bravo joins Ilkay Gundogan in being ruled out for the rest of the season – with John Stones facing a fight to play again this term following a thigh injury.

The good news for Guardiola is the return of Gabriel Jesus, who scored in his first start since recovering from a broken metatarsal against Middlesbrough last week. But the City manager will have to juggle his team against Sam Allardyce’s Palace – who have shocked Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool in recent weeks.

He said: “Hopefully Aguero will be back for the next game – but not for this game, no he is not fit.

“Yesterday was the first training session for Silva, so I don’t know if he will be ready for tomorrow.

“For the action in the semi-final in the FA Cup, he is still not perfect.”

Bravo injured his calf against United last week, while Stones has been out since the win against Hull at the start of last month.

“Bravo isn’t coming back until next season,” Guardiola added.

“John maybe in the last games.”