Man City injury update: Rodri, Nathan Ake and John Stones latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola is short of central defenders as Man City look to bounce back from defeat this week

Manchester City suffered a blow in their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League after falling to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Ahead of the clash against a fellow top-four hopeful, Man City returned to form with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham and followed that up with a 3-1 win against Plymouth to book a place in the FA Cup quarter-final.

However, as has been the case for much of the season, it was only a false dawn. Callum Hudson-Odoi’s goal in the 83rd minute condemned Man City to their ninth Premier League defeat of the campaign.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the latest Manchester City injury news

The Dutchman has not had much luck with injuries this season. Only recently back from a layoff, the central defender is set for another spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a fracture in his left foot.

“Ten weeks or 11 weeks they said to me,” Guardiola said his pre-match news conference when asked for a timeline on a return for Nathan Ake.

“When it is surgery, it is pretty serious. When you have surgery it is because something wrong happened. Important is it is done. He has struggled. It happened.”

Potential return date: May, 2025

John Stones

Also facing a long spell on the sidelines is John Stones after he limped off against Real Madrid.

The centre-back was under little pressure when attempting a pass in the opening minutes of the Champions League play-off clash, and appeared to pull a muscle. He required on-pitch treatment before being withdrawn.

Speaking ahead of the win over Spurs, Pep Guardiola confirmed Stones will not require surgery, but the England international to be out of action for up to 10 weeks.

“No, no surgery. No,” Guardiola told reporters. “He can be recovered during eight to 10 weeks without surgery

Injury blow: John Stones was forced off early against Real Madrid

AFP via Getty Images

“We need everyone for the end of the season. Absolutely everyone. I decide for this line-up, maybe tomorrow will be another one, we need everyone.

“We are part of that and of course in the next one, two, three years the players will be a little bit different. Everybody knows it.”

Potential return date: May 2025

Manuel Akanji

Fellow defender Manuel Akanji has been also ruled out for at least two months after undergoing surgery on a thigh injury.

Akanji was forced off during the first leg of City’s play-off tie against Real Madrid.

The centre-back went under the knife on February 15 and Guardiola confirmed the player will be out for “eight to 10 weeks.”

That sets his comeback at, most likely, early May.

Potential return date: May 2025

Oscar Bobb

Much was expected of Oscar Bobb this season after a promising pre-season, only to suffer a broken leg on the eve of the campaign.

Bobb returned to training in January but has still not made a matchday squad after suffering a setback.

The hope is that he will be in contention soon.

“I think yesterday we spoke with the doctors he feels really good, much better since he came back,” Guardiola revealed ahead of the Spurs game.

Man City hope to have Oscar Bobb available for selection soon

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“He had a problem in the meta and couldn’t run properly, that’s why he came back, stop, came back, stop. But the doctors wisely said stop until you don’t feel that discomfort in the ankle then you can train.

Potential return date: Unknown

Rodri

Rodri’s injury is seen as one of the major causes for City’s slide this season. The midfielder underwent surgery on a serious knee injury suffered against Arsenal in September and was not expected to feature again this season.

The Spanish international has previously suggested he could return for this summer’s Club World Cup but Guardiola has previously insisted there is “no pressure” on him to rush his comeback.

However, Now it seems, however, that Rodri's progress has exceeded expectations and he could feature again before the end of the domestic season and play a part at the Club World Cup in the summer.

Guardiola said: "The fans must know they are not the only ones who are excited.

"But one step at a time, we don't have to make stupid decisions to come back weeks earlier and (suffer) steps back. It's good but still he's not close to coming back, I would say.

"But he's touching the ball and he was in the locker room making touches with the players. He feels confident, he feels more happy.

"I could not expect before (him to return) but maybe before the end of the season - not even the (Club) World Cup - in the Premier League, maybe, it's going to happen."

Potential return date: Unknown