John Stones is set for more tests on the worrying ankle injury sustained at Everton but Manchester City hope the crucial central defender will avoid another lengthy lay-off.
The England international suffered the injury moments before half-time when stopping Beto running through on Ederson‘s goal – despite the Everton striker clearly standing in an offside position.
There is consternation at City around the interpretation of a directive for linesmen to keep their flag down for tight offside calls, brought in with the introduction of VAR.
Wednesday’s incident was described as ‘clear’ by a frustrated Pep Guardiola and allowing the game to carry on has always sparked fears of unnecessary injuries across the division.
But the Premier League champions are likely to resist the urge to lodge a complaint with the PGMOL – even though they are left sweating on Stones’ fitness as a direct consequence.
Man City are awaiting test results to see the extent of defender John Stones’ ankle injury
Stones suffered the injury while tackling Everton forward Beto before half-time in the game
Pep Guardiola was frustrated as Beto was offside but play was allowed to continue
Although City are yet to ascertain the full picture of the 29-year-old’s latest setback, initial suggestions are that he will miss weeks rather than months.
Stones has started just five Premier League matches so far this season after a hip injury during the opening days of the campaign that proved complicated.
He enlists the expertise of a private physician who works in conjunction with City’s medical team in a bid to stave off the sort of muscle injuries that have blighted spells of his time at the Etihad Stadium.
Usually a stubborn defensive unit, City have missed Stones’ presence, keeping just four clean sheets in their opening 18 games of their latest title defence.
Guardiola has been contending with fitness problems and top scorer Erling Haaland is still only undergoing individual work with the ball and complained of fatigue in his foot this week.
Early suggestions are that Stones will miss a number of weeks rather than months
Haaland is expected back in team training soon, with Kevin De Bruyne closing in on a return from hamstring surgery in August.
The hamstring issue picked up by Jeremy Doku is being carefully managed, owing to the winger’s explosivity, but the youngster believes he will be soon ready to make a return.
