Manchester City injury update: Rodri, Oscar Bobb, and John Stones latest news and return dates | OneFootball

City were without some key players as they fell short in the FA Cup final

Manchester City’s Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Rodri was made to watch the FA Cup final from the stands he was not deemed fit to participate.

City fell to a 1-0 defeat against Crystal Palace under the Wembley arch, falling in the final for the second time in as many years after Eberechi Eze scored against the run of play in the first half.

Pep Guardiola will be left to wonder what could have been if Rodri were fit for the tie after City finish the season trophyless for the first time since 2016-17. He cannot dwell for too long, though - two crunch Premier League ties away to Bournemouth and Fulham await as City look to confirm a top-five finish.

He may be boosted by the returns of Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake in those matches as both have returned to partial team training. Whether he chooses to risk them is another story, as City are yet to confirm their participation in next year’s Champions League.

Here is all the latest Man City injury news...

Rodri

Rodri returned to training in April after tearing his ACL early in the season, but is yet to get make a return to match action. It was thought he would miss the entire campaign after undergoing surgery, but he recovered at a rate of knots and could play a part in the closing stages of the season.

He was not deemed match-fit in time for the FA Cup final in a blow to Guardiola’s selection, but the Spaniard may look to hand his countryman some minutes in one of City’s two remaining ties. The most likely option would probably be a cameo on the final day of the season, by which time they will hope to have Champions League qualification wrapped up.

Potential return: Sunday, May 25 vs Fulham (A)

John Stones

England international John Stones is not likely to return this season after he suffered a thigh injury in the second leg of the Champions League playoff against Real Madrid in February.

The 30-year-old did not require surgery, but updates as to his condition have been few and far between. No news of his condition was offered ahead of the Cup final, implying there is no change to his situation.

Oscar Bobb

Oscar Bobb is also back in partial team training after suffering a hamstring injury in late April.

That issue came shortly after the youngster returned from a fractured leg sustained in training after the Community Shield, compounding his grim injury luck.

He was not passed fit to face Southampton, but as he is back in training, could be set to return before the end of the campaign. Whether Guardiola risks his involvement with Champions League qualification in the balance, though, remains unclear.

Potential return: Sunday, May 25 vs Fulham (A)

Nathan Ake

Nathan Ake fractured his foot against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup in March and subsequently underwent surgery, but, like Bobb, has since returned to partial training.

Guardiola confirmed that he was unavailable for City’s last League match against Southampton, and he did not make the squad for the FA Cup final.

As with Bobb, Guardiola may look to hand him some minutes on the last day of the season, but may be wary to take that risk as Champions League qualification is not yet confirmed.

Potential return: Sunday, May 25 vs Fulham (A)