Joško Gvardiol
Joško Gvardiol
Manchester City’s Joško Gvardiol suffered an injury in his side’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea on January 4th.
The Croatia international had to go under the knife and has been on the sidelines since then.
Vecernji now takes a look at the Manchester City player’s injury and cover the latest on his return.
Initial fear of Gvardiol missing World Cup
According to the outlet, the ‘situation was particularly difficult’ when he picked up this injury.
That’s because initial estimates had indicated the defender will be out of action for several months and there was a fear of him not recovering on time for the summer’s World Cup.
The Croatian football association, knowns as HNS, has now provided a positive update on the 24-year-old. HNS head of medical services Tomislav Vlahović has now ‘reassured’ Croatian supporters
According to the doctor, the Manchester City defender should be able to make it Croatia manager Zlatko Dalić’s final squad for the World Cup.
“We hope that Joško will recover in time for the World Cup. We believe this is realistic. You never know how things will develop during rehabilitation, but our hope is strong,” he said.
Vlahović remains optimistic Gvardiol’s fractured tibia should heal in five months.
Positive update on Mateo Kovačić
Gvardiol’s Manchester City and Croatia teammate, Mateo Kovačić, has also been out of action for long.
The 31-year-old hasn’t featured for Pep Guaridola’s side since October. A month later, Sport Witness covered claims from Croatia about the former Chelsea man’s surgery. He was to be out of action until February.
Back then, Dalić was hopeful the midfielder would be fit for the World Cup. Kovačić is yet to regain full fitness. Vecernji state his recovery is ‘progressing faster than expected’ and the Manchester City boss could be able to count on him from early March.
The national team doctor also shares a positive update on the Manchester City midfielder.
“I would say we think he will be ready for the World Cup, and probably even earlier. It is a complex injury and treatment, and things are being monitored on a daily basis. The recovery is going well,” Vlahović explained.