Manchester City handed major fitness boost with star defender’s return to training | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have been handed a significant boost to their defensive options ahead of a crunch run of cross-competition fixtures.

The England international has been absent from action since the early stages of the recent September international break, when he withdrew from Thomas Tuchel’s squad roster with what Manchester City described as a precautionary muscular problem.

Pep Guardiola later explained that Stones was a doubt for the derby clash against Manchester United, though the issue was “not a big, big problem”. City ultimately secured a 3-0 victory, but his absence underlined the fine margins within Guardiola’s defensive depth chart.

With Rayan Aït-Nouri also sidelined for several weeks due to an ankle injury, and Guardiola previously needing to reshuffle his backline by using the likes of Abdukodir Khusanov as cover at right-back, the return of a senior figure like Stones will be considered a welcome relief.

The 30-year-old brings not only defensive stability but also composure in build-up play, an area where Manchester City’s consistency has been questioned in the opening weeks of the season amid two wins and two defeats in their opening four matches.

Stones’ recovery also comes at a crucial time, with City entering a congested run of fixtures across both the Premier League and Europe. Guardiola has recently rotated defensive personnel, but the absence of multiple full-backs and centre-halves has left little room for error.

Now, with Manchester City finalising their preparations for the UEFA Champions League matchday one tie against Napoli in the league phase of the competition, John Stones has been present and correct alongside his first-team teammates at the City Football Academy.

The development will come as a morale boost not only for Pep Guardiola but also for the wider squad, with Napoli and Arsenal both looming as significant challenges in the coming days, as well as the start of the Carabao Cup via a third round trip to face Huddersfield Town next week.

John Stones’ partnership with Ruben Dias has proven pivotal in Europe before, particularly in Manchester City’s 2023 Champions League success, and his leadership at the back could prove just as vital again this season.

Speculation will now turn to whether Stones is fit enough to start against Napoli or whether Pep Guardiola opts to ease him back into action with a view to Premier League minutes at the weekend.

Either way, his availability strengthens the squad at a time when defensive absences could have left Manchester City vulnerable. Should Stones return at peak sharpness quickly, he may also allow Guardiola to restore tactical flexibility, including the option to step into midfield in possession.