Man City injury problems threaten to pile ahead of huge Premier League title clash with Arsenal
Manchester City are sweating on the fitness of John Stones after his injury for England on Tuesday, amid a potential defensive crisis ahead of their title showdown with Arsenal on Sunday.
Stones sustained a groin injury in the 10th minute of the 2-2 draw with Belgium, and City face an anxious wait over his availability for the weekend.
City had seen Kyle Walker suffer a hamstring injury for England against Brazil on Saturday, while Manuel Akanji pulled out of the Switzerland squad to play Ireland last night with what was described as a knock.
Walker is optimistic he will be fit to face Arsenal at the Etihad, but Stones is a doubt and the injury to Akanji leaves City manager Pep Guardiola with a major headache.
England boss Gareth Southgate defended his decision to play Stones against Brazil and Belgium, and insists it was not a risk.
“We measure everything, and the first game for him wasn’t a game that was a high level in terms of intensity,” said Southgate. “We have done exactly what Holland did with Virgil van Dijk, what Norway did with Erling Haaland and [Martin] Odegaard, starting them again. Holland also started [Nathan] Ake again.
“Of course, we are disappointed if [Stones] has got a problem. It seems to be in the adductor area, so we’ll have to wait and see.
“John also came in on the back of not having played for two weeks, so it is not an overload situation, but I hate sending players back to their clubs if they are not fully fit.”
Stones, who appeared to be walking without too much discomfort as he left Wembley, will be assessed by City in the coming days. Stones plays a key role for City coming into midfield, and losing him would be a major blow.
Asked how he was as he was leaving Wembley, Stones said: “I’m not sure yet.”
Ake came through 90 minutes unscathed for Holland in their 2-1 defeat by Germany, while Josko Gvardiol is fit after playing an hour for Croatia.
City top scorer Haaland and Arsenal captain Odegaard both came through unscathed for Norway. Haaland played just over an hour of their 1-1 draw with Slovakia, while Odegaard played 79 minutes.
Declan Rice played 90 minutes for England again, captaining the side on his 50th cap.
Bukayo Saka, Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli pulled out for England and Brazil, but Arsenal hope the trio will be fit for their trip to the Etihad.
Jakub Kiwior played the full 120 minutes for Poland as they sealed a spot at Euro 2024 with a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Wales in Cardiff.
