From Croatia: Manchester City star could miss ‘two to three months’ after surgery recovery | OneFootball

Manchester City may see a midfield star restricted to an extended period on the sidelines this summer, should there be a decision to undergo surgery.

It is the latest concern in an injury-hit season and regarding a player that has been asked to step up to the plate in light of Rodri’s extended absence, operating in numerous roles throughout Manchester City’s midfield.

Mateo Kovacic has arguably been one of the club’s strongest performers in an underwhelming season, taking on the position of lone defensive midfielder, as well as a transitional ‘No.8’ in driving his side forward into attacking areas of the pitch.

Cropping up with vital goals in the last few weeks, City were unfortunately hit with the untimely absence of the former Real Madrid and Chelsea man for their FA Cup Final meeting with Crystal Palace last weekend.

Pep Guardiola’s side paid the ultimate price and saw their midfield structured entirely different to the set-up that progressed them through the semi-final stage against Nottingham Forest, with Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne as the ‘double-pivot’.

Now, it seems as though the problem that forced the absence has come to light, with reports from Kovacic’s native Croatia highlighting the possibility of surgery during the off-season, which begins next week.

That is according to the information of Sportske Novosti, who reveal that the Manchester City midfielder has a ‘chronic problem’ with his heel bone, which has caused the 31-year-old to miss games for Pep Guardiola this season and suffer pain when he has featured.

It is explained that Mateo Kovacic could now make the decision to undergo an operation to solve the problem long-term, although that would lead to the player missing his country’s next international camp and City’s FIFA Club World Cup tournament in the US.

Immediate surgery and subsequent recovery would lead to a period on the sidelines of around ‘two to three months’, according to the report, but would mean Kovacic could return to action for Manchester City at the start of the new season.

Manchester City are expected to strengthen their midfield ranks over the course of the summer transfer window, with a new attacking creator being targeted to take on the role due to be left behind by Kevin De Bruyne from next month.

There is also strong interest in AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders, and recent reports have indicated that Manchester City recruitment chiefs have already made contact with the Italian side over a potential deal in the coming weeks.

While some have suggested that De Bruyne may not be the only exit from City’s midfield ranks, the current understanding is that both Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan will remain at the club, perhaps raising some doubts over the future of Mateo Kovacic.