Manchester City dealt Kovacic injury blow ahead of FIFA Club World Cup
Manchester City have been dealt a major injury blow ahead of the FIFA Club World Cupafter Mateo Kovacic was ruled out of the tournament, set to be aired for free on DAZN.
The Croatian midfielder, 31, is facing a spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery to repair an achilles tendon injury.
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He sat out last month’s 1-0 FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace with the issue and is now set for a period of rehabilitation.
"Manchester City can confirm that Mateo Kovacic has undergone surgery on an Achilles injury," the club confirmed in a statement.
"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 absence is a blow to City as they bid to become FIFA Club World Cup champions for a second time.
FIFA Club World Cup legends
FIFA Club World Cup legends
But the Premier League club appear busy on the transfer front after a 10-day mini-window introduced ahead of the Club World Cup officially opened on Sunday.
Reports over the weekend claimed that they are closing in on the signings of Lyon winger Rayan Cherki and AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders.
Speculation also grew on Monday that City were pursuing a deal for Rayan Ait-Nouri of Wolves as Guardiola looks to significantly bolster his full-back options on both sides this summer.
City are the defending FIFA Club World Cup champions having won the trophy for the first time after beating Fluminense 4-0 in the 2023 final in Jeddah.