Manchester City confirm fresh defensive injury blow ahead of Ipswich Town clash | OneFootball

Manchester City have confirmed a further injury blow to their defensive roster in the build-up to the meeting with Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon.

The Premier League champions travel to Portman Road this weekend hoping to return to winning ways after seeing a two-goal lead in midweek slip at the hands of Brentford in the final 13 minutes of the contest.

Phil Foden had put Manchester City into the ascendancy with a brace of his own, only for Pep Guardiola’s side to showcase some of their familiar defensive woes that have contributed to a downturn in performance levels since the end of October.

While the dropping of three points will no doubt been a blow to the squad, there remains a positive feeling around the club that the second-half of the season can be more positive than the opening months with players returning from injury and new signings on the way.

However, just as things appear to be improving particularly on the player availability front, Manchester City have confirmed a fresh blow to the defensive options in the build-up to the clash with Ipswich Town this weekend.

Announced as part of their starting line-up confirmation from Portman Road, Nathan Ake is absent from the first-team matchday squad at Ipswich this weekend with an injury although the severity of the problem remains unknown at this stage.

Ake was instrumental in ensuring that Manchester City did not lose all points entirely against Brentford on Tuesday night with a late goal-line clearance, but his efforts to play for the club despite not being fully-fit have once again taken its toll.

Pep Guardiola has been hugely complimentary of his players and their efforts to compete for the club this season despite injury and fitness problems, publicly thanking Ake in particular after the 1-1 draw against Everton on Boxing Day.

“We spoke with Nathan [Ake], he made an incredible effort. I said, ‘Thank you so much’, and I appreciate it for the effort they have done,” Guardiola told reporters from the Etihad Stadium after their penultimate game of 2024.

He continued, “He was on the verge of recovery of three weeks when he needs a little bit more, but for the circumstances and the problems that we have he made an effort. And I said, ‘OK when you feel the fatigue or feel tired, let us know’.

Ake’s injury coincides with new two defensive signings that are expected to be announced by Manchester City early next week, as Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis – both of whom are naturally central defenders – arrive from RC Lens and Palmeiras respectively.