Pep Guardiola has described securing Champions League qualification as a major success for Manchester City this season.

With 10 games remaining, the reigning champions find themselves in fifth place in the Premier League, having struggled with injuries to key players. Notably, Ballon d'Or winner Rodri has been sidelined since September, adding to the team's challenges.

Despite these setbacks, Guardiola insists that finishing in the top four would be a remarkable achievement given the difficulties his squad has faced.

"Qualification for the Champions League would be a big success but you have to win it," Guardiola said.

"I want to qualify for the Champions League. It will not be good [if City miss out] but I saw what happened with other teams in the past in the Premier League.

"Not being in the Champions League would be a problem but there are teams who didn't qualify who have come back and are there."

City could finish fifth and still qualify for the Champions League. The strong performances of English teams in UEFA competitions means the Premier League is on course to be awarded an extra Champions League place.

It could offer a safety net to City, but Guardiola has said it won't matter if his team cannot build a winning run between now and the end of the season.

"Whether there are five or six or seven [places], you have to win games," he said.

"In sport, in knockout games sometimes details make the difference but in the Premier League over 38 games if you are not able to finish in the first four or five it is because we were not good enough."

Manchester City will face Brighton, who sit in sixth place, at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as they aim to recover from their 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.

Following the defeat, Pep Guardiola expressed concerns about his team's sluggish ball movement, while defender Rúben Dias suggested that the dry pitch at the City Ground may have contributed to their struggles.

"With the pitch dry it makes things a bit more difficult," Dias said.

"Last season here, Fulham was again. It depends on the weather as well and good will from everyone to make the game fast.

"We're still there, try to look for the spaces. They have a low block and we need to be as versatile as we can to look for the spaces. Because the spaces will be there one way or the other. Always looking to do something better."