Manchester City injuries state-of-play as SIX first-team stars ruled out

Pep Guardiola is currently overseeing recoveries from six of his Manchester City squad as 15 players head away for international duties with their respective nations.

City come into the final international break of 2023 fresh off the back of a dramatic afternoon’s work in London, as they were held to an enthralling 4-4 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Erling Haaland’s brace was not enough to drive Manchester City towards a victory to end the latest portion of club fixtures, while goals from Manuel Akanji and Rodri ensured that the points were shared despite the best efforts of both sides.

The Premier League champions have however come out of the contest feeling the effects of the physical demands placed on particular players, were two fresh injury problems now having been confirmed by international set-ups.

As club level football takes a pause for international match-ups to commence over the next two weeks, here is everything we know so far about the six Manchester City players currently ruled out through injury problems.

Ederson, Foot

The Manchester City goalkeeper sustained an injury during the second-half of Sunday afternoon’s 4-4 draw with Chelsea, and while carrying on for the remainder of the contest, it appears as though the problem was not worth the risk of aggravation in South America.

Brazil confirmed on Monday evening that despite having been originally called-up for action this month, Ederson would now withdraw from duties as a direct result of the injury to his left-foot, recovering in Manchester.

Potential return: Liverpool (H), 25 November

Mateo Kovacic, Muscular

The Croatian midfielder appeared to emerge from the weekend’s clash at Stamford Bridge unscathed, however it was confirmed prior to the meeting of his international teammates that the Manchester City star had withdrawn due to injury.

Kovacic replaced Julian Alvarez late on in the contest against Chelsea with City holding a slender advantage in the game, however the Croatia international set-up have confirmed that the 29-year-old had withdrawn through a muscle injury.

Potential return: Liverpool (H), 25 November

Nathan Ake, Knock

Details surrounding Nathan Ake’s ongoing fitness problem remain unknown after Pep Guardiola was not quizzed on the Dutchman’s absence prior to or after the 4-4 draw against Chelsea at the weekend.

Following the Premier League match, that saw Nathan Ake absent from the travelling Manchester City squad, the Netherlands also confirmed that he would miss their meeting for upcoming matches over the next two weeks.

Potential return: Liverpool (H), 25 November

John Stones, Muscular

Pep Guardiola offered an update on John Stones’ injury problem ahead of the meeting with Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, telling the media, “He’s injured. He’s not ready for Chelsea and we’ll see after the international break. I don’t know (if he’s ready for Liverpool).

The Manchester City boss continued when pressed on further details around his latest setback, “No, the doctor said to me it’s not as bad (as first thought), but I don’t know. When he’s going to be fit again, he’ll come back.”

Pep Guardiola issues promising injury update on John Stones following Champions League withdrawal

Potential return: No return date

Sergio Gomez, Ankle

The Manchester City left-back was recently spotted arriving at the Etihad Stadium on crutches ahead of the club’s 6-1 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League, with uncertainty over the severity and nature of the problem.

However, it has since emerged that Sergio Gomez sustained an ankle injury during a recent training session at the City Football Academy, and according to the Manchester Evening News, he is expected back in training after the international break.

The Spaniard underwent positive assessments on his ankle injury, and as such could put himself back into contention for matches throughout the upcoming hectic December fixture schedule.

Potential return: No return date

Kevin De Bruyne, Hamstring

Pep Guardiola recently delivered an in-depth update on the recovery of Kevin De Bruyne following his hamstring surgery in the summer, speaking to the media prior to the 4-4 draw with Chelsea on Sunday.

“I spoke with him (Kevin De Bruyne) two days ago and he said, ‘I feel really good’,” Guardiola revealed. “But still he’s not training with us, not I think running much. I don’t know but I would say it’s the last time to start to come back to train with us.”

When further pressed on whether De Bruyne could return ‘soon’, Guardiola said, “I think, I don’t know, I would like to say in two weeks, one week, three weeks. But with these kind of injuries it’s better not to put pressure.”

“When he feels good and the doctors and physios say, ‘Ok, next step, next step’, he’s coming. Don’t put pressure. It’s like you say with John (Stones), recover. It’s not necessary to do the bad decisions or wrong decisions to come back earlier for days or weeks, and after back (injured) again. Kevin (De Bruyne) was a tough injury, was surgery, so step by step.”

Kevin De Bruyne is unlikely to be rushed back into match action, and the latest understanding is that Manchester City medical professional may hold him back from any intense work or match preparations until closer to Christmas and the Boxing Day trip to Everton.

Potential return: No return date