John Stones injury latest for Real Madrid as Pep Guardiola praises six Man City players vs Luton

John Stones missed Manchester City's win over Luton while Nathan Ake and Kyle Walker returned to the bench ahead of the Champions League clash with Real Madrid.

John Stones was left out of the Manchester City squad against Luton as a precaution, and could feature in the Champions League clash with Real Madrid.

Stones was not involved against Luton after teammate Rodri suggested the England international had played through pain in the quarter-final first leg in Spain on Tuesday. Prior to that, Pep Guardiola said he would have preferred not to give Stones another full 90 minutes at Crystal Palace last week.

However, despite concerns over Stones' condition, Guardiola confirmed he is not injured while also offering updates on the returning Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake, who both returned from injury but remained on the bench against Luton.

ALSO READ: Man City player ratings vs Luton as Jeremy Doku shines but Matheus Nunes poor

ALSO READ: Telling Man City reactions to Erling Haaland speak volumes in Premier League rout

"[Stones] has some niggles, he is fine. He is not injured," Guardiola said. "But he didn't feel comfortable and we didn't want to take some risk. Nathan and Kyle want to be on the bench. Okay, go on the bench."

The build-up to the Luton game centred on comments from Rodri that he needed a rest. Guardiola appeared to have little sympathy with him before the match, and he joked about that particular line of questioning after the 5-1 victory.

"Rodri absolutely, he going to rest on Wednesday as well!" joked the manager. "Do you believe me?"

With the likes of Rodri, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish also rested against Luton, Guardiola looked at some of his fringe players and he namechecked five (plus Kevin De Bruyne, who missed the Madrid game through sickness) as an example of the quality behind the starting XI.

"They don't need to prove me anything, I know them quite well, I see them every single game and I rely on them," he said. "I like to give minute to Sergio [Gomez], he is a lovely guy. Oscar Bobb, the impact in a few minutes. He moves in the right position and creates chances. The game from Kevin and the impact from Jeremy Doku - his impact for one against one, he is aggressive, scores an exceptional goal, always tries to improve and creates the penalty. Matheus [Nunes] the runs and dynamic he has.

"[Mateo] Kovacic plays in the central position and we spoke and said you can do it. He's experienced. I didn't have any doubts, how still we run in every department. The last action, the transition, six players. The team is alive."