Man City Injury Update: Confirmed Updates on Rodri, John Stones and More | OneFootball

Manchester City Injury Update: Rodri, Nathan Ake, John Stones and Oscar Bobb Return Timelines

Manchester City’s injury troubles continue to test Pep Guardiola’s squad depth, with key players still on the sidelines as they chase silverware across multiple fronts. The latest updates on Rodri, Nathan Ake, John Stones, and Oscar Bobb provide a mix of concern and cautious optimism for City fans.

Nathan Ake’s Setback Adds to Defensive Woes

Nathan Ake’s season has been punctuated by frustrating injury setbacks, and the latest blow could see him facing another spell out. The Dutch defender, who had recently returned to action, was forced off at half-time in City’s 3-1 FA Cup win over Plymouth after struggling towards the end of the first half.

Photo: IMAGO

Guardiola did little to downplay the concerns in his post-match press conference, admitting that City’s defensive situation is far from ideal:

“Now again we have central defenders out. I think we are going to miss Nathan. I’m so grateful to the club for bringing Vitor and Khusanov to the club otherwise we would not have any chance to qualify for the Champions League next season or fight for the FA Cup; we would have just Ruben.”

The exact length of Ake’s absence remains uncertain, and with Manuel Akanji also sidelined, Guardiola is once again left scrambling for defensive solutions.

Potential Return Date: Unknown

John Stones Facing Lengthy Layoff

John Stones’ injury woes continued after he limped off during Manchester City’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid. The England international appeared to suffer a muscle injury while attempting a pass, requiring immediate treatment before being substituted.

Guardiola has since provided an update, confirming that Stones will not need surgery but is expected to be out for an extended period.

Photo: IMAGO

“No, no surgery. No,” Guardiola said. “He can be recovered during eight to ten weeks without surgery.”

With City entering a decisive stage of the season, Stones’ absence is a significant blow. His versatility and ability to step into midfield have been a crucial part of Guardiola’s tactical setup, and replacing him will not be straightforward.

Potential Return Date: May 2025

Oscar Bobb Nearing a Comeback

Oscar Bobb was expected to play a bigger role this season, but a broken leg suffered before the campaign even began stalled his progress. While he resumed training in January, setbacks have kept him from making a matchday squad. However, Guardiola recently provided a more positive outlook.

“I think yesterday we spoke with the doctors, he feels really good, much better since he came back.”

Photo: IMAGO

The City boss highlighted how the young winger’s inability to run without discomfort had led to a stop-start recovery, but he now appears to be on the verge of returning. If his final phase of rehabilitation goes smoothly, Bobb could yet make an impact in the latter stages of the season.

Potential Return Date: Soon

Rodri’s Unexpected Return on the Horizon?

Rodri’s injury has arguably had the most significant impact on City’s season. The midfield linchpin underwent surgery on a serious knee injury sustained against Arsenal in September, with initial fears that his campaign was effectively over. However, recent updates suggest a return may not be completely out of the question.

Guardiola’s tone when discussing Rodri’s fitness ahead of City’s FA Cup tie against Plymouth suggested a shift in expectations.

“We can’t go three days, three days, three days, so many games,” Guardiola told ITV Sport. “And of course we need fresh legs and players to come on the team. This is (the full squad) except Oscar Bobb and Rodri, that they are close both to come back.”

While a concrete timeline is yet to be confirmed, Guardiola’s words indicate that the Spaniard could feature again this season, providing a massive boost for City’s title aspirations.

Potential Return Date: Unknown

City’s Injury Problems Continue to Mount

Manchester City’s pursuit of silverware is being hindered by their growing injury list, particularly in defence. With Ake, Stones, and Akanji all sidelined, Guardiola will be forced to improvise as the fixtures pile up. However, the potential return of Rodri and Bobb offers some hope, as City look to navigate this challenging period while staying in contention for major honours.