Just when Pep Guardiola called for all of his Manchester City players to return and help turn around their torrid form, they have suffered another big setback for the fixture vs Nottingham Forest.

Phil Foden has been playing at number ten as Kevin De Bruyne slowly returns to fitness, but Foden was missing for the Premier League clash with Forest on Wednesday.

City already had Mateo Kovacic, John Stones, Rodri and Oscar Bobb on the sidelines, with De Bruyne a doubt to start having not been named in a starting XI since September - until his return on Wednesday.

ALSO READ: Man City vs Nottingham Forest LIVE early team news plus kick-off time and how to watch

And now Foden could be set for a spell out after missing the must-win Forest clash. His absence was put down to bronchitis.

Foden missed a period at the start of the season, citing fatigue and burnout as a result of the Euro 2024 tournament and City's long season.

Guardiola had said on Tuesday: "[Stones] is not close. Still is injured. He had a problem with his feet and don’t know… I would not say for the next week. Kevin is closer and getting better. The last few days is even better."

City named a side vs Forest with four changes, as Ederson remained on the bench after being dropped against Liverpool at the weekend. Rico Lewis got a night off, but Kyle Walker remained among the substitutes with De Bruyne finally back in a starting line up.

Josko Gvardiol came back, shifting Manu Akanji to right-back, with Jeremy Doku on the right and Jack Grealish left.

City starting XI vs Nottingham Forest:

• Ortega, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Silva, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Doku, Grealish, Haaland.