Manuel Akanji is set for a spell on the sidelines in a fresh injury blow for Manchester City | OneFootball

Coming out of Manchester City’s 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid Pep Guardiola’s side picked up two fresh injury concerns. Jack Grealish and Manuel Akanji both had to be substituted due to injury during the game at the Etihad. Now a new update has emerged concerning the condition of Akanji. The Swiss international is set for a spell on the sidelines due to the injury he sustained on Tuesday night.

Paul Hirst has reported for the Times that Manuel Akanji is set to be sidelined for a few weeks with a muscle injury. Hirst further reports that the versatile defender will miss this weekend’s crucial Premier League fixture against Newcastle. He is also ruled out of the second leg of their Champions League play-off tie against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu next week. Furthermore, Hirst reports that Akanji is also likely to miss City’s match against Liverpool.

Manuel Akanji’s injury follows the trend of Manchester City’s defenders going down with injury. The only constant in City’s defence has been Josko Gvardiol so far this season. John Stones, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and Kyle Walker have all battled fatigue and injury this season. Walker has since left the club for AC Milan but he was battling fitness and injury issues before his January departure. This situation has had a detrimental affect on City’s play this season. Even Rico Lewis has had to battle fatigue due to his increased workload this season.

A further update on Akanji’s status is expected when Pep Guardiola faces the media ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Newcastle on Friday. But for now Manchester City must soldier on with Manuel Akanji. It’s a blow for Pep Guardiola’s side but they have no choice but to battle on.