Boost for Man City as defender returns to training following injury blow | OneFootball

John Stones took part in training with his Man City team-mates ahead of the Champions League clash with Napoli.

Stones missed the Manchester derby win over rivals Man Utd on Sunday after picking up a muscle injury which forced him to withdraw from international duty with England.

But he was involved in the open part of City’s training session in front of the TV cameras ahead of the clash with the Serie A champions.

Kalvin Phillips also took part, though is not registered as part of Guardiola’s Champions League squad.

There was no sign of Omar Marmoush, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri or Mateo Kovacic, however.

Marmoush suffered a knee injury while playing for Egypt and is not expected back until next month.

Cherki, meanwhile, picked up a thigh injury and is not expected back until after the October international break.

But City boss Pep Guardiola is hoping to have Mateo Kovacic back soon, saying ahead of the game against Napoli: “Kova is coming back soon.

“The squad is really good, it’s just now we have a problem. We have 16 players and we need them back – Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, John.

“When everybody is coming back we can rotate and people from the bench can make a good impact during the game.

“The fatigue is coming, it will come soon, and of course we need to have everybody involved.”