LISBON, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Manchester City will have to accept a more challenging season as they cope with injuries that make it harder to repeat the success of recent years, manager Pep Guardiola said ahead of their Champions League game at Sporting on Tuesday.

Guardiola’s men have been hampered by injuries this season, with Ballon d’Or winner Rodri out for the rest of the season and several key first team players facing spells on the sideline. The Spaniard admits it will be impossible to reach the same heights as in previous seasons, due to the mounting injury issues and increased fixture list:

City's squad is high-quality but by design it is not deep - something that could significantly impact them over the next few weeks