Just Zin time to be City's big superhero

ZINCHENKO COULD BE AN INVALUABLE ASSET FOR RUN-IN

- ALEX BROTHERTON

CITY are now facing an injury crisis at the worst possible moment.

With six must-win Premier League games to navigate and a tough Champions League semifinal just around the corner, Pep Guardiola has been left with precious few full-back options thanks to injuries and suspensions. Kyle Walker limped out of City's goalless draw with Atletico Madrid last week with a badly twisted ankle, and it's now been revealed he's out of the Watford and Real Madrid games.

A week later when the Blues defeated Brighton 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium, both Nathan Ake - who has enjoyed a renaissance of late and the ever-reliable John Stones both limped off, the former with a twisted ankle and the latter with a muscle injury.

On his defensive issues, Guardiola said: “I have few, few thoughts about Madrid. Brighton and Watford were so important - tomorrow [Saturday) at 5 pm, 7 pm I will start to watch. I don't have much time to watch them. So we will see."