Stones, Kovacic, Bobb – Manchester City Injury Updates and Expected Returns
Manchester City’s pursuit of the Premier League title took a significant hit on Sunday, as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in a highly anticipated showdown at Anfield.
Pep Guardiola’s men struggled throughout the match, dropping to fifth in the league standings ahead of their midweek clash with Nottingham Forest. On the positive side, Jeremy Doku returned to the squad, and Ruben Dias reclaimed his spot in the starting lineup. Additionally, Kevin De Bruyne made a brief appearance off the bench, gaining valuable minutes as he continues his recovery.
Despite these positives, City remain without several key players, especially in midfield, where injuries have added to their challenges. Here’s the latest on Manchester City’s injured players and their potential return timelines.
Mateo Kovacic
– Injury: Undisclosed
– Update: Guardiola revealed that Kovacic returned from international duty with Croatia nursing an injury that could sideline him for “about a month.” This is a major setback for City, especially with Rodri also unavailable.
– Potential Return: December 21 (vs. Aston Villa, away)
John Stones
– Injury:Undisclosed
– Update: Stones played only the first half against Spurs before being substituted and has since missed the last two matches. The club is hopeful he will be fit in time for the midweek fixture.
– Potential Return:December 4 (vs. Nottingham Forest, home)
Rodri
– Injury:Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
– Update: The Spanish midfielder suffered a severe knee injury and is unlikely to return before mid-2025. Despite this, Rodri has expressed optimism about potentially playing in the Club World Cup later this season.
– Potential Return: June 2025
Oscar Bobb
– Injury: Fractured Leg
– Update: The young Norwegian broke his leg in August and is racing to recover in time to feature before the year’s end. City are hopeful he can contribute during the festive fixtures.
– Potential Return: Late December
