Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images.
Man City are enduring a mini-injury crisis with several key players currently ruled out.
Pep Guardiola was struggling with injuries and was without six first-team players for Wednesday night’s EFL Cup tie against Tottenham.
And as well as losing the knockout tie 2-1, the Cityzens’ woes were compiled after two more players were forced off.
Manuel Akanji suffers warm-up setback
Defender Manuel Akanji pulled up with a calf issue in the game’s warm-up.
The Switzerland international was set to start for Guardiola but failed to make kick-off after injuring his lower leg. After the side’s physios decided he could not continue, the 29-year-old was replaced in City’s starting lineup by Portuguese centre-back Ruben Dias.
“If these guys doesn’t come back as quick as possible we will struggle because we cannot sustain for with just 14 or 15 players so we need the players to come back but it is what it is,” Guardiola said after the game.
“Hopefully that can happen after the international break.”
Possible return date: November
Savinho latest to be sidelined
The Brazilian, who joined the Premier League champions in the summer, has already missed one match this season through injury. The young forward injured his knee last month and was ruled out for a total of 17 days.
And after going down in the 63rd minute against Tottenham following a knock to his ankle after making a driving run into Tottenham’s penalty area, Savinho is the latest Man City player sidelined.
In tears and comforted by teammates, the 20-year-old was stretchered off the pitch before being replaced by youngest Jacob Wright.
The extent of Savinho’s injury is not yet known but Guardiola is ‘hopeful’ the winger’s problem is not too serious and will be able to make a quick return to action.
“He had a knock in the 18-yard box, potential penalty, and we’ll see tomorrow what happened,” the Spaniard told reporters.
“We have to see if it just a knock or something else, because it was on the bone. Hopefully it’s nothing dangerous, but we’ll see.”
Possible return date: Unknown
Rodri recovering well but won’t return until 2025
This year’s Ballon d’Or winner, and the first-ever Man City player to lift the prestigious award, Rodri, is undoubtedly the club’s most missed star.
Injuring his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) against Arsenal during last month’s 2-2 draw at the Etihad, the Spanish midfielder is not…
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