Pitch-side reporter provides first details on John Stones injury as Man City sweat over Arsenal availability

The first details surrounding John Stones’ latest injury setback have now emerged ahead of Manchester City’s meeting with Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

The Englishman sustained yet another fitness issue in a challenging campaign from a personal perspective on Tuesday night, as he was withdrawn within the opening 11 minutes of England’s eventual 2-2 draw with Belgium.

Attempting to turn on the ball in the centre of the park, John Stones appeared to sustained a problem with his ankle, while some have also speculated that he may have sustained a muscular problem.

With a number of high-profile fixtures on the horizon for Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City players, concerns over the immediate availability of John Stones couldn’t be any higher, especially as a meeting with Arsenal in the Premier League comes next.

However, Manchester City supporters have received some encouragement from a report issued from Wembley Stadium on Tuesday evening, moments after the half-time interval and perhaps after an initial diagnosis surrounding Stones’ problem.

Speaking during the opening exchanges of the second-half between England and Belgium, pitch-side reporter Kelly Somers offered a first insight into the first diagnosis and feeling around John Stones’ injury problem.

It was explained that Stones was the last of the English contingent to re-emerge from the dressing room, taking a seat among the substitutes, but most importantly, ‘appearing be walking OK’, according to Somers’ report.

Pep Guardiola is expected to provide a wider-ranging update on the fitness of his Manchester City squad when he addresses the media during his pre-Arsenal press conference on Friday afternoon.

As part of that update, developments on Kyle Walker and Manuel Akanji are expected, while many have been left intrigued by the severity of Matheus Nunes’ foot knock that prevented involvement in a 2-0 defeat to Slovenia this week.

Manchester City will put together their first preparations ahead of the meeting with Arsenal on Thursday morning, with the full squad expected back in the north-west of England late on Wednesday.