Manchester City sustain new defensive injury blow as player misses training in mixed update ahead of Feyenoord and Liverpool

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have sustained a fresh blow to their defensive options this week with one star name missing training on Monday afternoon.

Manchester City hoping to return to winning ways immediately after arguably their worst result in their five successive defeats, having succumbed to a 0-4 home loss at the hands of Tottenham on Saturday evening.

Feyenoord are Manchester City’s next opponents as the Eredivisie club make the trip to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night for matchday five of the UEFA Champions League, with Pep Guardiola’s side wanting to recover from a 4-1 loss to Sporting CP last time out.

However, whilst Manchester City have received a significant boost in their squad options via the return of two names across the squad on Monday, a worrying update has been issued in the rearguard from the weekend’s clash.

John Stones was withdrawn at the half-time interval of Saturday’s 0-4 defeat to Ange Postecoglou’s side, with Nathan Ake coming on in his place, and it now appears as though such a change was not tactical.

The England international was among a four-player contingent absent from Manchester City training at the City Football Academy in the final run-out before the clash with Feyenoord, joining Mateo Kovacic, Rodri, and Oscar Bobb on the treatment table.

There has not been a formal update on the injury or situation facing John Stones since he was replaced at the weekend, other than Pep Guardiola pointing out after the fact that the 30-year-old could not play any further part in the clash.

On the contrary, Pep Guardiola and Manchester City did receive a major boost in their defence with Ruben Dias returning to training following a problem sustained during the Carabao Cup fourth round defeat to Tottenham last month.

The Portugal international intensified his aims of a return to full fitness over the course of the international break by training on the ball, on the pitch, and in the gym in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon.

Additionally, Manchester City’s forward line has been further strengthened after Jack Grealish’s return to action at the weekend from the bench, with Jeremy Doku also returning to training this week.

It remains to be seen just how much either player will be utilised this week, with a number of major fixtures on the horizon, none more so than the visit to Anfield to face Arne Slot’s league-leading Liverpool on Sunday.