Man City have been handed another injury blowplaceholder image
Man City have been handed another injury blow | Getty Images
Manchester City have been handed a fresh injury scare and here is the latest team news.
Man City defender John Stones has withdrawn from the England squad due to injury in a fresh blow ahead of the derby fixture against Manchester United next week.
The 31-year-old was named in Thomas Tuchel's squad for the forthcoming matches against Andorra and Serbia, but will not take part in either of the matches due to a 'muscular issue' that has not improved.
Stones has started all three of City's matches in the Premier League so far this season and it is unclear whether or not he will be fit enough for the derby clash with United a week on Sunday. Pep Guardiola's side head into the match below United in the Premier League table after consecutive defeats to both Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton.
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Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday morning, Tuchel confirmed his side would not risk Stones for their World Cup qualifiers. “Unfortunately, John Stones [has] just left,” said Tuchel. “He came with minor muscle issues to camp and didn’t progress the way we thought and hoped he would so he left camp this morning because we will not take the risk against Andorra and also unfortunately against Serbia.”
The latest fitness scare comes at a time when Josko Gvardiol is still sidelined, while Abdukodir Khusanov picked up a knock in the defeat to Brighton last weekend. It means there are no doubts over nine City players heading into the derby clash with United next week.
Rayan Cherki has been ruled out for two months with a thigh injury and Mateo Kovacic is not expected back until the end of the month at the earliest. Savinho and Phil Foden have both also been sidelined, while Marcus Bettinelli has a knock. Kalvin Phillips is still recovering from Achilles surgery in the summer.
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