Stones is again ruled out of today's FA Cup quarter-final at Newcastle after hurting his ankle in training at a time when he may have got an opportunity with Pep Guardiola struggling with injuries and suspensions.
The 26-year-old has made only 14 starts this season falling behind converted midfielders Fernandinho and Rodri in the pecking order for centre-back.
Stones, who cost £47million from Everton in 2016 has been heavily linked with a move away from the Etihad.
'He is still injured,' confirmed Guardiola. 'When he recovers, he will try to return to training and have a chance like the other guys. But he is injured.
'We knew it would be like this after lockdown. Sergio Aguero (ankle) will maybe miss the rest of the season. Phil Foden had a huge kick in the first minutes when we played Burnley.
'Joao Cancelo has a muscular problem. Now Fernandinho is out (after his red card against Chelsea).
'The lack of preparation and these amount of games in a short time, we have to survive. Survive and try for qualification in the Champions League and arrive good on Sunday.'
City surrendered their Premier League title to Liverpool on Thursday with a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea but could still collect two more trophies with the FA Cup and Champions League to come, having already lifted the Carabao Cup.
First up is the FA Cup which they won at Wembley last May with Guardiola promising: 'The focus is on Newcastle. Absolutely.
'A team like ours who have won eight titles have passion for every single game and competition. Without that desire to keep going, it would have been impossible to achieve what we did.'
#CITYZENS
Saif
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