Manchester City's Mateo Kovacic is having to undergo surgery on a heel injury which will rule him out of the Club World Cup and also cost him the start of next season
Mateo Kovacic will have to undergo surgery - ruling him out for months
Mateo Kovacic will have to undergo surgery - ruling him out for months
Manchester City star Mateo Kovacic will have to undergo surgery which is going to cost him involvement in this summer's Club World Cup and also keen him out until the start of next season.
The Croatian has been nursing a heel injury but will have have to go under the knife which will cost him the next few months. Pep Guardiola had hinted at the club trying to deal with the player's injury when he left him out of the FA Cup final squad as a precaution.
Kovacic is into his second year at the Etihad but will be unable to take part in their summer matches with thew recovery timeline also meaning he'll miss pre-season and the opening games in the 2025/26 season.
The club said in a statement: "Manchester City can confirm that Mateo Kovacic has undergone surgery on an Achilles injury. The Croatian midfielder is now set to miss the FIFA Club World Cup as City head to the USA in June. Mateo will spend the summer rehabilitating from the operation and everyone at the Club wishes him a speedy recovery."
Kovacic's injury has also cost him the chance to play for his country when they play in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. They head to Gibraltar before hosting the Czech Republic.
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Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic confirmed that the initial recovery plan for the injury has not worked. "He had an injury and missed the cup final," he said. "He thought rest would help but it didn't. Pain and swelling appeared concerning the heel tendon. Manchester City decided he must undergo surgery. The recovery is expected to take about three months."
Kovacic played 31 times in the Premier League - only three players appeared on more occasions - but could return to a much changed City midfield as Guardiola eyes an overhaul this summer. That comes after an underwhelming and trophyless campaign.
Pep Guardiola has been trying to nurse the Croatian's injury issue
Pep Guardiola has been trying to nurse the Croatian's injury issue
City are looking to complete a deal for AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders in time for the Club World Cup. The 26-year-old was seen as one of the standout players in Serie A last term despite the Italian side enduring a below par campaign.
Kevin De Bruyne will leave the club after a decade whilst the likes of Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan continue to age. Rodri has just returned to full fitness after missing nearly the entire season. Nico Gonzalez was signed from Porto back in January.
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