England statement provides update on John Stones’ recovery from Manchester City injury | OneFootball

John Stones recovery from injury has remained ongoing with the wider England national team over the course of the off-season, it has been announced.

The 31-year-old has endured another injury-riddled campaign that saw him in and out of Pep Guardiola’s lineup and after a strong start to the season that saw Stones score crucial last-minute goals against Arsenal and Wolves, the Englishman’s future is in doubt.

Stones was one of Guardiola’s first signings after the Catalan was appointed Manchester City manager in 2016 and after a difficult debut season in Manchester, the centre-half was pivotal in the club’s historic 2017-18 Premier League winning campaign when Guardiola and co recorded a staggering 100 points.

After coming close to leaving in the summer of 2020, Stones revitalised his Manchester City career his side’s run to the Premier League title and benefitted from the arrival of Ruben Dias from Benfica, forging a strong partnership with the Portugal international at the heart of defence.

However, nine years into his time at the Etihad Stadium, Stones is entering the final 12 months of his current deal and after struggling for fitness and hence minutes last term, the defender could leave the club in the coming months.

Everton are reportedly ready to bring back their former player to Merseyside and Stones needs to play regularly to stake a claim in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup – a shared reason with Jack Grealish on why the forward could also leave Manchester City ahead of the 2025-26 season.

In January, Manchester City added Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis to their existing centre-back battalion featuring Dias, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol – Guardiola is heavily stocked in the position and that could see Stones moved on.

Stones has been recovering from a muscle injury sustained in the second leg of Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 defeat to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, where the defender pulled up in the opening 10 minutes.

After a long-drawn and difficult season, the Manchester City first-team will fly to the United States for the FIFA Club World Cup as Guardiola and co begin their preparations for the 2025-26 campaign. It remains to be seen whether Stones can prove his fitness in time to earn a seat on the plane.

The centre-back is currently spending time with the England National Team as he steps up his recovery to full fitness, as confirmed in a statement from the England National Team this week.

The statement read: “John Stones is joining the Three Lions for a number of days in Spain to continue his rehabilitation from injury. Good to have you with us for the start of camp, Stonesy!”