Manchester City defender John Stones picked up an injury in training ahead of their Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk and is expected to miss at least four weeks, according to The Mirror.

The impending absence of the England international leaves Nicolas Otamendi as the only senior natural centre-back in Pep Guardiola's squad, with Aymeric Laporte likely to be out for six months following a serious knee injury, as reported by The Guardian.

Even before news of Stones' injury broke, the Daily Mail claimed that Guardiola had been planning to use Fernandinho at centre-back against Shakhtar Donetsk, a scenario that now looks even more likely with Stones ruled out.

Another option for the Manchester City manager is 18-year-old Eric Garcia, a centre-back from the under-23 squad who made three appearances for the senior side in the Carabao Cup last season and was on the bench for the Community Shield last month. [via TransferMarkt.co.uk]

These Manchester City fans on Twitter called for the 18-year-old Spaniard to be brought into the first team following Stones' injury:

Do you think Garcia should start at centre-back rather than Fernandinho? Should Guardiola have brought him into the first team squad earlier this season? Have your say by commenting below!