Manchester City have been rocked by another injury blow after losing Kevin De Bruyne, with John Stones set for a lengthy spell on the treatment table.

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• Defender nursing a muscle complaint
• Yet to figure in competitive game this season
• Ruled out until middle of September

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Pep Guardiola has confirmed that England defender Stones will be out of action until after the next international break in September. The 29-year-old is unlikely to be available to the Three Lions for the Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine and a friendly date with Scotland.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Stones is still struggling with the muscle problem he picked up in pre-season. He has not figured in Premier League victories over Burnley and Newcastle or the UEFA Super Cup penalty shootout triumph against La Liga outfit Sevilla.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  Guardiola has said when delivering a fitness update on his squad, with Belgian midfielder De Bruyne having already undergone surgery on a hamstring injury: “We will need everyone for this schedule and calendar. We have to come back how the people (City fans) come back. Stones will not be ready until after the international break.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  The next international break is due to take place between September 4-12, meaning that Stones will sit out meetings with Sheffield United and Fulham. The transfer window is still open if City decide to look for reinforcements, with Guardiola adding: “The club will have to take some important decisions about the squad.”

Tags: Futebol
Category: News