Ruben Dias, John Stones and Jack Grealish will miss Manchester City’s trip to Brighton, throwing their defence into further crisis for a game they must win to avoid losing further losing ground on Liverpool.

Dias has a muscular issue that has kept him out of City’s last two games, while Stones has a foot problem is in the foot. They have both been left out of their respective international squads for the coming break – as has Nathan Ake.

Ake was left on the bench at Sporting this week where teenager Jahmai Simpson-Pusey started for the first time. If Ake is out, Rico Lewis could perhaps start on the left with Kyle Walker on the right and Josko Gvardiol central.

Guardiola also confirmed that Jack Grealish not fit after a period on the sidelines, offering a different view on the forward’s fitness to England interim boss Lee Carsley.

Grealish has been included in the England squad for next week’s fixtures, with Carsley saying Grealish had trained for the last two days and will be assessed on his arrival with no risks to be taken on his fitness. But Guardiola says Grealish only trained on the grass for 20 minutes on Friday, disputing Carsley’s claims.

“It’s a question for the manager for England,” Guardiola said. “No [he’s not fit]. There is no more good news, the same as Lisbon. The same guys who travel are there.”