Man City injury update: Oscar Bobb, John Stones and Manuel Akanji latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Man City’s injury woes are slowly easing following the return of a key player

Manchester City have received a welcome injury boost as they prepare for an FA Cup fifth round showdown with Plymouth this weekend.

Prior to Man City’s Premier League clash against Tottenham they had lost successive games against Real Madrid and Liverpool.

In both fixtures, Erling Haaland did not play a single minute.

The striker was an unused substitute as City suffered an early Champions League exit and was missing entirely from the matchday squad in the 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool.

However, he returned to action on Wednesday night and scored the winner against Spurs to ensure Man City reclaimed fourth spot in the Premier League table from Chelsea as the battle for Champions League qualification heats up.

Attentions now turn to the FA Cup as City welcome a Plymouth side - who eliminated Liverpool in the last round - to the Etihad Stadium and Pep Guardiola has the luxury of rotating where he sees fit.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the latest Manchester City injuries.

John Stones

The centre-back is facing a long spell on the sidelines after limping off against Real Madrid.

John Stones was under little pressure when attempting a pass in the opening minutes of the Champions League play-off clash, and appeared to pull a muscle. He required on-pitch treatment before being withdrawn.

Speaking ahead of the win over Spurs, Pep Guardiola confirmed Stones will not require surgery, but the England international to be out of action for up to 10 weeks.

“No, no surgery. No,” Guardiola told reporters. “He can be recovered during eight to 10 weeks without surgery

Injury blow: John Stones was forced off early against Real Madrid

AFP via Getty Images

“We need everyone for the end of the season. Absolutely everyone. I decide for this line-up, maybe tomorrow will be another one, we need everyone.

“We are part of that and of course in the next one, two, three years the players will be a little bit different. Everybody knows it.”

Potential return date: May 2025

Manuel Akanji

Fellow defender Manuel Akanji has been also ruled out for at least two months after undergoing surgery on a thigh injury.

Akanji was forced off during the first leg of City’s play-off tie against Real Madrid.

The centre-back went under the knife on February 15 and Guardiola confirmed the player will be out for “eight to 10 weeks.”

That sets his comeback at, most likely, early May.

Potential return date: May 2025

Oscar Bobb

Much was expected of Oscar Bobb this season after a promising pre-season, only to suffer a broken leg on the eve of the campaign.

Bobb returned to training in January but has still not made a matchday squad after suffering a setback.

The hope is that he will be in contention soon.

“I think yesterday we spoke with the doctors he feels really good, much better since he came back,” Guardiola revealed ahead of the Spurs game.

Man City hope to have Oscar Bobb available for selection soon

Getty Images

“He had a problem in the meta and couldn’t run properly, that’s why he came back, stop, came back, stop. But the doctors wisely said stop until you don’t feel that discomfort in the ankle then you can train.

“In the last part he will be back soon but I said that one month ago, hopefully this time he can come back.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Rodri

Rodri’s injury is seen as one of the major causes for City’s slide this season. The midfielder underwent surgery on a serious knee injury suffered against Arsenal in September and isn’t expected to feature again this season.

The Spanish international has previously suggested he could return for this summer’s Club World Cup but Guardiola has insisted there is “no pressure” on him to rush his comeback.

At this stage, next season seems the most likely return date.

Potential return date: Summer 2025