'Perform well, no injuries' - Guardiola suggests Man City will prioritise health over victory in Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham

Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City will not risk the fitness of any players as they prioritise their health during a Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham on Thursday.

The Premier League champions have been hit hard by injuries, with John Stones, Kyle Walker, Aymeric Laporte and Jack Grealish among those currently sidelined.

Guardiola revealed that while he wants his team to perform well against Tottenham, their main concern is ensuring that no further injuries are sustained.

"We are going to play to win the game, but we are not going to take any risks," Guardiola said at a press conference on Wednesday. "We have a lot of injuries and we cannot afford to lose any more players."

"The most important thing is that the players are healthy and fit," he added. "We have a lot of games coming up and we need to make sure that everyone is available."

Guardiola's comments suggest that he may rest some of his key players against Tottenham, particularly those who are carrying minor injuries.

City have already lost two games in the Carabao Cup this season, but Guardiola is not too concerned about their chances of winning the trophy.

"We are still in the competition and we will do our best to win it," he said. "But our main focus is on the Premier League and the Champions League."

Tottenham are also dealing with their own injury problems, with Hugo Lloris, Cristian Romero and Richarlison all set to miss the match.

The match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 GMT on Thursday.