Man City injury update: John Stones, Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne latest news and return dates

Manchester City were dealt a pair of fresh injury blows for John Stones and Kyle Walker during the international break.

Pep Guardiola and his team could feasibly still defend each of the three titles they lifted in last season’s historic treble but will need all hands on deck to achieve that.

The Premier League champions host Arsenal on Sunday in another huge title clash before games against Real Madrid and Chelsea in the Champions League and FA Cup respectively.

Even with a squad as talented as City’s, Guardiola will need all of his key players available for such a crucial sequence of fixtures.

Here’s everything you need to know about the latest Man City injuries and return dates.

John Stones

Stones limped off during England’s draw with Belgium on Tuesday night with what appeared to be an abductor injury. Gareth Southgate defended his use of the defender despite him playing the full 90 minutes against Brazil too and suggested Stones was set for further tests to determine the extent of the problem.

“We’re disappointed if he’s got a problem. It’s in the adductor area,” he said.

“He came in on the back of not having played for two weeks so it wasn’t an overload issue. But I hate sending players back to their clubs if they’re not fully fit.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Kyle Walker

Defender Kyle Walker has emerged as a real injury concern over the international break. The right-back came off when playing for England against Brazil in Saturday night’s friendly at Wembley and has since pulled out of the Three Lions squad ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Belgium.

Still, there is hope the City stalwart will be available for Sunday’s meeting with the Gunners after initial scans suggested his hamstring issue was not serious.

However, he missed training on Thursday along with Stones.

Potential return date: April 2024

Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne didn’t even join up with the Belgium squad during the break as he nurses a groin injury.

While that was a worry for City, De Bruyne was pictured in training earlier this week, raising hope he will be available for the Arsenal game.

Potential return date: Sunday 31 March vs Arsenal

Manuel Akanji

Manuel Akanji offered City more cause for concern by pulling out of the Switzerland who beat Ireland on Tuesday night, having picked up a knock during the draw with Belgium.

The defender was pictured in training on Thursday.

Potential return date: March 31, vs Arsenal

Ederson

First-choice goalkeeper Ederson has also trained this week having been ruled out of the win over Newcastle, as well as Brazil’s friendlies against England and Spain.

Like De Bruyne, Guardiola is confident he will not miss a significant period of action having picked up a hamstring injury in the pulsating 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield.

“[Ederson] is getting better, hopefully he'll be ready after the international break,” said the City boss. “Tomorrow, for sure [he will not play]. He'll have two weeks off then, he'll recover, we'll see how he feels."

Potential return date: March 31, vs Arsenal