Manchester City defender John Stones has been ruled out of action until after the international break, manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed.

Stones, 29, suffered a muscle injury in pre-season and missed City’s opening two Premier League matches and remained on the bench for their Super Cup win.

The next international break is between 4 and 12 September.

Stones set to miss matches

Stones could miss England’s Euro qualifier against Ukraine and a friendly against Scotland next month.

He is set to miss City’s next two Premier League games against Sheffield United on 27 August and Fulham on 2 September.

The club are also without key midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, who has had surgery on a hamstring injury and could be out of action for four months.

Stones began his career with Barnsley, making his first-team debut in the Championship in March 2012 as a 17-year-old.

He joined Premier League club Everton for around £3 million in January 2013 and amassed 95 appearances over four seasons.

Stones signed

In August 2016, he signed for Manchester City for an initial £47.5 million with add-ons. With the club, he won five Premier League titles, two EFL Cups, two FA Cups, and the UEFA Champions League as part of a historic continental treble in the 2022–23 season.

Stones made his senior debut for England in May 2014 after previously being capped by England youth teams at under-19, under-20 and under-21 levels.

He was chosen in England’s squads for the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and 2020, and the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and 2022.