Manchester City have strengthened their defensive options this week, landing Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis in big-money deals.

At £33.5million and £29.5m respectively, their price tags are relatively modest, although given their low profile both can be expected to make an impact this season, as opposed to lying low until next season to acclimatise.

The two central defenders will need to make an impact, and quickly. As the Manchester Evening News reported on Tuesday, ten players missed City training, with City's entire defensive contingent missing and confirmed injuries to John Stones and Nathan Ake.

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Neither Khusanov not Reis will be able to feature for Pep Guardiola in the league phase of the Champions League, but their presence will be a boost in the Premier League and FA Cup.

That much seems obvious, but potential reluctance to introduce them quickly is usually natural for young centre-backs in the Premier League. Khusanov is 20, Reis is 19, and City have limited room to blood the two in gently.

Besides the trip to Leyton Orient in the FA Cup, where it would still seem unlikely Guardiola will play the two together, there are no obvious games where two inexperienced defenders could feel their way into the notoriously physical demands of the league.

Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Nottingham Forest make up a daunting schedule through to the first week of March. With potential Champions League play-off fixtures to come in February, and possibly the round-of-16 to follow, City are looking at a minimum of a game every five days between now and March 12. It's more than likely their two new signings will need to step up.

Khusanov is the obvious place to start. Despite impressing in Ligue 1, other young centre-backs that have traded the French top-flight for the Premier League have required time to adapt to life in England. William Saliba is a prime example.

Lens are punching above their weight, currently sitting seventh in Ligue 1, and Khusanov played 16 games before the speculation about a move to City saw him drop out of the team in January.

He has won 70 per cent of his aerial duels this season, and boasts a passing completion rate of 89 per cent. Labelled a "monster" by former Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba, he also drew glowing praise from former his manager, Will Still, who will be aware of the high demands on centre-backs in England.

Despite playing in a back-three at Lens, it's likely that Khusanov could earn a solid amount of minutes if Stones and Ake continue to spend time in the physio room. The Arsenal game in particular could be a good one to introduce him, with the lack of a recognised striker or physical presence to be considered.

As for Reis, the situation is more complex, with the Brazilian arriving from Palmeiras. Earmarked as one for the future, Guardiola will be crossing his fingers that Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias stay fit to protect Reis from premature exposure.

Despite being touted as a player of top quality for now, it will be Khusanov who will guard Reis from a baptism of fire, and the 19-year-old will hopefully have a couple of months to bed in before he is required at the Etihad Stadium.