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Four players to miss Man City vs Crystal Palace FA Cup final as reality clear

Manchester City and Crystal Palace team news ahead of FA Cup final at Wembley

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Rodri of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United

Rodri has not featured for Manchester City since September

Manchester City and Crystal Palace meet at Wembley this afternoon with FA Cup glory on the line.

The two sides will do battle under the arch at 4.30pm with City slight favourites as they bid to reclaim a trophy they last won in 2023 having been beaten in last season's final. Palace have never won the cup but do have a fully fit squad to choose from for the showpiece with Oliver Glasner confirming key midfielder Adam Wharton is available.

“It’s positive team news,” Glasner said. “Everyone is fit. “Adam trained the whole week and is available, and all the others are fit. There are some tough decisions to take – but good decisions to take.”

For City, there are doubts over four players with none of the quartet set to be involved at Wembley. Here's the injury latest.

Rodri

Injury: anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

The Ballon d'Or winner is back in training after being out injured since September but Guardiola has urged caution over when he will be able to return to action.

Guardiola is keen for Rodri not to suffer a setback despite him being 'much, much better'.

"I'm waiting on the doctors. When they tell me he's ready, he's going to start," he said. "We don't want to take a risk and make a setback."

Possible return date: May

Nathan Ake

Injury: Foot

The defender was forced off at half-time against Plymouth and underwent surgery on a foot injury. He is now back in training but the cup final could come too soon.

"Ten to eleven weeks, they said. When it is surgery, it is pretty serious and something wrong happened," Guardiola said of Ake. "He struggled a lot this season with the problems in his feet and it happened."

Possible return date: vs Bournemouth (H) - Tuesday, May 20

Oscar Bobb

Injury: Hamstring

Bobb has a minor hamstring injury. He is expected back before the end of the season and is back in training.

The news was originally confirmed by Norway boss Stale Solbakken, who said Bobb has picked up a 'minor injury', when he told NRK: "He has suffered another minor injury. I don't know anything about the time perspective, but it is not a serious injury."

Norway team doctor Ola Sand did not deny the injury, telling the publication: "He is a Manchester City player, and they can inform about it if they want."

Possible return date: vs Bournemouth (H) - Tuesday, May 20

John Stones

Injury: Thigh

Stones was forced off after just eight minutes against Real Madrid earlier this year and it was feared he could require surgery and be sidelined for the rest of the season. He is yet to return to training and may not feature again this term.

Possible return date: vs Fulham (A) - Sunday, May 25.

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