Bournemouthvs.Man City

The Citizens entered the international break after dropping five points across two top-flight matches, losing 1-0 at Nottingham Forest before playing out an entertaining 2-2 home draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Pep Guardiola's side will be keen to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they face Leicester City and rivals Manchester United at the beginning of April, but they must first focus on their FA Cup battle with Bournemouth as they endeavour to reach the semi-finals for the seventh consecutive season.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Man City's latest injury and suspension news ahead of the contest with the Cherries.

Rodri

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Rodri was expected to miss the rest of the 2024-25 season with an ACL injury he sustained in September last year. However, the Ballon d'Or winner has made progress in his recovery and has begun individual training.

There is a chance that Rodri will make his long-awaited comeback before the end of this season, but the Spaniard is unlikely to be rushed back into first-team action.

Nathan Ake

Status: Out

Type of injury: Foot

Possible return date: Unknown

Nathan Ake underwent successful surgery on a fracture in his left foot at the beginning of March and is facing 10 to 11 weeks on the sidelines according to Guardiola, potentially ruling him out for the rest of the season.

Manuel Akanji

Status: Out

Type of injury: Abductor

Possible return date: April 19 (vs. Everton)

Manuel Akanji underwent successful surgery on an abductor injury sustained on February 11 and the defender is set to remain sidelined until the middle of April.

John Stones

Status: Out

Type of injury: Thigh

Possible return date: Unknown

John Stones has been sidelined since mid-February with a thigh injury he picked up in a Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. The defender was initially ruled out for between eight and 10 weeks, so he will likely target a return towards the end of April or the beginning of May.

Ederson

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Abdominal

Possible return date: March 30 (vs. Bournemouth)

Ederson suffered an abdominal injury in City's defeat to Nottingham Forest on March 8. The goalkeeper subsequently missed the draw with Brighton and then withdrew from the Brazil squad over the international break.

However, Guardiola is hopeful that Ederson will be fit to return to the matchday squad for this weekend's clash with Bournemouth.

Josko Gvardiol

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Unspecified

Possible return date: March 30 (vs. Bournemouth)

Josko Gvardiol was taken off midway through extra time in Croatia's UEFA Nations League quarter-final with France, which ended in defeat on penalties.

Manager Zlatko Dalic commented on the substitutions he made after the match and, as quoted by Croatian news outlet 24sata, he said: "Josko had an injury problem."

The severity of Gvardiol's injury remains unknown and Man City supporters will hope that Guardiola can provide an update on the defender's fitness at a press conference on Friday.

Oscar Bobb

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Ankle/fitness

Possible return date: March 30 (vs. Bournemouth)

After more than seven months out with a leg fracture, Oscar Bobb had been gradually building up his fitness in training, before picking up a minor ankle issue which set him back slightly in his recovery.

Just over a week ago, Bobb played for 60 minutes for City's Elite Development squad in a 3-2 home defeat to Crystal Palace in Premier League 2, and Guardiola is hopeful that the attacker will return after the international break.

MANCHESTER CITY'S SUSPENSION LIST

Man City have no players suspended for this match.

Written by

Oliver Thomas