Nathan Ake confirms surgery on foot fracture in latest Manchester City injury blow | OneFootball

Manchester City central defender Nathan Ake has confirmed on social media that he has undergone successful surgery on a fracture in his foot.

The 30-year-old has endured a difficult campaign to date for Manchester City and the Netherlands, sustaining both muscular and bone injuries throughout the season hampering his availability and consistency for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Ake is among a long list of injury problems sustained by Manchester City in a season that has seen them placed into a chase for a top-four position within the Premier League, crash out of the Champions League before the last-16, and eye an FA Cup to bring some joy.

The latest setback for the former Chelsea and Bournemouth defender came in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday evening, when Ake was seen heavily limping towards the end of the first-half against Plymouth Argyle.

Replaced at the half-time interval by Ruben Dias, Pep Guardiola told reporters from the Etihad Stadium post-match, “We’ll do tests. He struggles sometimes with the feet, the bone.”

The Catalan coach continued, “All season it’s been like that. Unfortunately the central defenders, they cannot be [injury-free]. Hopefully the young ones – they don’t have a lot of scars – can sustain and help until the end.”

Now, in a post on his social media channels on Monday evening, Nathan Ake has announced, “This has been such a frustrating season for me but I have now had a successful surgery on a fracture in my foot which has been bothering me for months.”

The versatile Manchester City defender continued, “I am looking positively to the future! Rest and recover now, see you soon Cityzens and thank you for your support.”

For now, it remains unknown as to whether Nathan Ake will be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign, although Pep Guardiola has already indicated that the Dutchman will require a “long time” in recovery before he can be considered fully-fit and available once more.

Ake joins fellow central defensive teammates in John Stones and Manuel Akanji in being sidelined through long-term injuries, while the latter has also had to undergo surgery and the England international ruled out with a long-term thigh issue.

Elsewhere on the fitness and injury front, Oscar Bobb is closing in on a return to action having recovered from an ankle problem in early February, while Rodri has made a significant stride in his recovery from an ACL injury as he took on the first portion of individual training last week.

Manchester City will follow up their FA Cup fifth round victory with an away trip in Premier League action on Saturday afternoon, as they take on third-placed Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in an early kick-off.