Pep Guardiola says he will wait for an update on the fitness of John Stones and Nathan Ake in the wake of Wednesday’s 3-0 Premier League win over Brighton.
City will have been worried to see Ake limping at the end of the first half against Brighton. He left the pitch at the break limping, with a grimace on his face as he pointed to his right ankle, and Dias replaced him at the start of the second period.
Another concern came later in the game as Stones was replaced for Aleks Zinchenko, with the England centre-back having a discussion with Pep Guardiola before taking his seat on the bench.
Speaking to broadcasters, Guardiola indicated that Ake had a twisted ankle, and he then told reporters than Stones was replaced as a precaution due to tightness in his muscles.
“John felt something with muscle, hopefully nothing,” he said.
“We have problems in that position. When people talk of my magnificent selection v Liverpool, do you feel Kevin [De Bruyne] could have played v Liverpool. During the year it happens when you are in all competitions. The only way is to have the players fit.
“The Premier League is so important so I didn’t want to take a risk. John went out running and playing and that was a good sign. He felt tight and didn’t want to take a risk and we’ll see in the next days.”
Speaking to Match of the Day, Guardiola said: “Nathan Ake has a twisted ankle. It is not perfect but it was good to give minutes to Ruben. John was a little bit tight. Hopefully nothing too bad but we will see tomorrow. Ruben is important. It is difficult seven weeks out to come back and pick up the rhythm. He is mentally so strong and that is why he shows so many good things.”
With Kyle Walker also currently out with an ankle issue and Joao Cancelo suspended for our Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid, City will be anxious to avoid any more injuries.
The Stones and Nathan Ake’s injury update was shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.
“We’re finished ”
Credit: @SheLovesZeeboy
“We’re done 😭”
Credit: @Mysterio__01
“Our injury woes continues.
What’s going on here ?”
Credit: @jazzy_mcfc
“Why can’t we just have 4 fit CB’s at the same time”
Credit: @PepoIogy
“Good thing Dias is back”
Credit: @Joelthe5TH
“Poor Nathan, he’s been absolutely flying recently. Bad timing with CL semis and PL run-in.”
Credit: @AlanTob00591199
“I hope its not serious ”
Credit: @chiba_mavisto
“I hope Walker will be fit, so Walker-Stones-Dias-Laporte.”
Credit: @madvillain666
“Zinchenko – Laporte – Dias – Stones is what I expected it to be before the game and still expect it to be now. Weird how we have zero timeframe for Walker though ”
Credit: @TeacherOfBall
“How did we end up somehow injuring all our backups”
Credit: @cityetihads
“I’m getting 19/20 vibes lads ”
Credit: @Citizen_96
“we’re going to end up playing Fernandinho as a full back again”
Credit: @De17Bruyne
