A look at the latest injury situation at the Etihad Stadium after the win over Leicester City
Manchester City ran out 2-0 winners over Leicester City on Wednesday evening as Pep Guardiola’s side moved up to fourth in the Premier League table.
City took a big step towards Champions League qualification as goals from Jack Grealish and Omar Marmoush sealed a routine win at the Etihad Stadium.
But they had to do so without a number of key players through injury and ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby against Manchester United, here’s a look at how City’s treatment room is looking ahead of that huge game.
Erling Haaland
Injury: Foot
Haaland was forced off during the FA Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth and Guardiola has confirmed he will miss five to seven weeks of action.
“The doctors told me between five and seven weeks [out],” Guardiola explained.
“So hopefully, for the end of the season and FIFA Club World Cup, he will be ready.”
Possible return date: Mid-May
Nathan Ake
Injury: Foot
The defender was forced off at half time against Plymouth in the last round of the FA Cup with another injury in a season of knocks and issues both for the Dutchman and the defence as a whole.
Guardiola confirmed he would be out for up to 11 weeks after undergoing surgery on a foot injury at the start of March.
“Ten to eleven weeks, they said. When it is surgery, it is pretty serious and something wrong happened,” Guardiola said of Ake. “He struggled a lot this season with the problems in his feet and it happened.”
Possible return date: vs Bournemouth (H) – Sunday, May 18
Rodri
Injury: anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
Rodri has been working hard on his recovery. Guardiola teased a possible return ahead of the FA Cup win over Plymouth and the midfielder was on the pitch at the Etihad going through a few drills.
He has taken part in an individual training session at the CFA but despite his ambitions to play again before the end of the season and Guardiola’s comments, a return is not thought to be imminent. The Club World Cup in June could be a possible target for his return.
Possible return date: May/June.
John Stones
Injury: Thigh
Stones was forced off after just eight minutes against Real Madrid earlier this year and it was feared he could require surgery and be sidelined for the rest of the season. But Guardiola offered a positive update last month that means he could return before the campaign is over.
Possible return date: April/May.
Manuel Akanji
Injury: Adductor
Akanji faces an extended spell on the sidelines after tearing his adductor muscle in the 3-2 defeat to Madrid at the Etihad Stadium. He was forced off at half-time and Guardiola anticipates he may be out until the end of April
He said on Tuesday: “Manu is getting better. I think [end of] April, before April, maybe we’ll be back.”
Possible return date: Late April
