Pep Guardiola could be facing a shortage of centre-backs ahead of Man City vs. Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals after a new setback for John Stones.
Stones withdrew from the England squad ahead of Tuesday’s 1-0 loss to Japan, with Thomas Tuchel revealing the 31-year-old has suffered a calf injury.
“It’s not ideal for John and for us,” Tuchel told reporters including Sky Sports‘ Peter Smith.
“John was gutted he had this minor incident. Given the history we had to be careful. It made no sense to push him through and try stuff and make things worse.”
While Tuchel described the issue as minor and it was more a case of precaution taken with a player with a long history of injuries, it clearly makes Stones a doubt for Saturday’s 12.45pm kickoff.
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - Friday, August 11, 2023: Manchester City's Joško Gvardiol during the FA Premier League match between Burnley FC and Manchester City FC at Turf Moor. Man City won 3-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Man City are also due to be without Josko Gvardiol (broken leg) while Ruben Dias (hamstring) will be a doubt after missing the Carabao Cup final and Portugal’s friendlies against Mexico and the United States.
It is therefore likely that Guardiola sticks with Nathan Ake and Abdukodir Khusanov at centre-back for the FA Cup quarter-final.
He is however fortunate to be without any other issues at present, while Liverpool are contending with a growing list of injuries.
Jeremie Frimpong added to Arne Slot‘s concerns after a new blow shortly after coming on in the Netherlands’ 1-1 friendly draw with Ecuador on Tuesday night.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Friday, March 6, 2026: Liverpool's substitute Jeremie Frimpong during the pre-match warm-up before the FA Cup 5th Round match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Molineux. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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He joins Alisson and Federico Chiesa among the doubts for the trip to the Etihad, with Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo, Stefan Bajcetic and Jayden Danns already ruled out.
Mohamed Salah is due to make his return after missing the 2-1 loss to Brighton last time out, though, and Alexander Isak has a chance of taking a place on the bench if he resumes full training as expected.
Man City have so far overcome Exeter (10-1), Salford City (2-0) and Newcastle (3-1) in this season’s FA Cup, with Liverpool beating Barnsley (4-1), Brighton (3-0) and Wolves (3-1) to reach the quarter-finals.