Manchester City only have quite a few fitness concerns right now, as we enter the crunch time of the overall season. The list includes their starting goalkeeper, some of their best defenders and the midfield maestro who makes their overall engine hum. Let’s take a look at who City will (or won’t) have at their disposal for the stretch run. Today we’ll cover Oscar Bobb, John Stones, Ederson, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and Bernardo Silva.
So let’s get after it! The FA Cup quarterfinal at Bournemouth is only 12 days away.
Oscar Bobb
It’s about time! The 21-year-old Norwegian is set to make his season debut in the next match, after seeing action with the second team, during one of their friendlies. A broken leg has deprived Oscar Bobb from playing, up until this point.
Ederson
The starting shot-stopper faces a fitness test in order to make the Cup quarterfinal squad. Said Pep Guardiola on Friday: “Some problems, abdominal, I think… he is not fit.”
Manuel Akanji
Potential return could come in late April due to his adductor injury.
Nathan Ake
Recovering from foot surgery will keep him out until the tail end of the season.
Bernardo Silva
His situation is all very mysterious, with Pep saying on Saturday: “I don’t know. I didn’t speak to the doctors. Bernardo is so strong.”
John Stones
Thigh/hamstring injury will keep him out until early May. Yes, the back line is really banged up right now. If you’re a sensing a theme, it’s injured defenders.
Rodri
Remains out for the season, obviously, with a cruciate ligament rupture.
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Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.