Following the tiring midweek loss to Chelsea, the boss expected the game with the Magpies to come too soon for John Stones, though Phil Foden is making good progress.
Asked if Stones could feature, Pep said: “No, he’s still injured. We knew it. After lockdown with the lack of preparation time, it was difficult.
“Sergio Aguero will be missed - maybe for the rest of the season.
“Phil Foden had a kick in the first minutes against Burnley and now Fernandinho is out with suspension.”
Guardiola was speaking immediately after our defeat at Stamford Bridge and both Stones and Foden subsequently trained at the City Football Academy on Friday.
Claudio Bravo and Eric Garcia are expected to remain sidelined for the trip to St James’ Park, though the City boss insists his team had prepared for such eventualities
“We knew these things might happen,” he added. “We have to try and survive and qualify for the top four.”
The Catalan says his side will travel to the North East fully focused on trying to progress to the FA Cup semi-finals.
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The inevitable conclusion to the Premier League title race was confirmed on Thursday evening with a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea and with Champions League qualification just eight points away, City can now concentrate on trying to win two more trophies.
“Our focus is Newcastle - absolutely Newcastle,” said Pep.
“Right now, the FA Cup is a priority because it is the next game and we can get to Wembley again in the semis.
“Newcastle have the weapons to punish us. It is the most important game and after Sunday, we fight to finish second in Premier League and qualify for Champions League - and after that we prepare for Madrid.”
The City boss says just because his team cannot win the title, doesn’t mean there will be any reduction in intensity and passion.
He will demand tap into the same mentality that saw numerous Premier League records achieved after the title was tied up in 2017/18.
“When we won the league with 100 points, we won it a long time in advance and we continued,” he said.
“Of course we are going to try and beat Newcastle and the last few games of the Premier League and arrive in the best condition as possible for the Champions League.
“I am incredibly excited for this part of the season and the next one.
“After, we will see. I am incredibly excited to be in this club, to try and do our best.
“I don’t want to think too far in front. Now it is Sunday. We need to recover, the last 15 minutes against Chelsea was so demanding with 10 v 11.”
