Evening Standard
·27 November 2024
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Yahoo sportsEvening Standard
·27 November 2024
Pep Guardiola remains without host of key players amid unprecedented crisis
Pep Guardiola’s looked to have restored order following Saturday’s chastening 4-0 defeat to Tottenham by racing into a three-goal lead against Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
City, however, collapsed and threw their sizeable advantage away to eventually draw 3-3 with the Dutch side.
It means Guardiola – for the first time in his storied managerial career - is without a win in six games.
While City’s problems may extend way beyond simply not having key players available, the fact so many of them have endured a stop-start season on the fitness front cannot be ignored.
Their record without Rodri leaves a lot to be desired and City look in awful shape ahead of what is arguably their toughest game of the season.
With that in mind, here’s a look at the latest Manchester City injuries…
A stop-start season on the injury front continued for John Stones during the defeat to Spurs, his first appearance since the Carabao Cup loss in north London last month.
The England international lasted only 45 minutes on Saturday and was replaced at half-time by Nathan Ake before missing the Feyenoord game entirely.
John Stones came off at half-time during Man City’s loss to Tottenham
AP
Potential return date: Unknown
Mateo Kovacic had been playing a key role in City’s midfield this season in the absence of Rodri but was ruled out for up to a month while playing for Croatia over the international break.
“It will be a while, a few weeks or one month,” said Guardiola.
Potential return date: December 2024
Oscar Bobb had been tipped to play a big role for City this season but was hit with a leg injury during pre-season and isn’t expected back until January or February.
“I think, January or February, he will be ready,” revealed Guardiola in October.
Potential return date: January/February 2025
Rodri underwent surgery on a serious knee injury back in September and isn’t expected to play again this season.
Still, the midfielder recently hinted he would be looking to return by the time the Club World Cup rolls around in the summer.
Potential return date: Summer 2025