Manuel Akanji issues injury update as Man City defender shares photo after undergoing surgery

The 29-year-old sustained his injury towards the end of the first half of City's 3-2 home defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie last week.

Akanji was visibly in pain after stretching to block a cross inside his penalty area, and although he attempted to carry on, the Switzerland defender was eventually withdrawn at half time.

Man City manager Pep Guardiola revealed after the match that Akanji requires surgery and is facing eight to 10 weeks on the sidelines.

Following Man City's dominant 4-0 Premier League win over Newcastle United last weekend, Akanji posted a photo from his hospital bed on Instagram, confirming that his operation was a success and that his road to recovery has already begun.

"Surgery went well. The journey back to recovery has begun. Thanks for all your get-well messages!", Akanji wrote as he lay in his bed giving a thumbs-up.

What games will injured Akanji miss for Man City?

Akanji is now facing a race against time to recover before the end of the season as he is not expected to return before early-to-mid April at the earliest.

The defender has already missed City's victory over Newcastle and is set to be sidelined for at least nine more games across all competitions, including Premier League fixtures with Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion, Leicester City, Manchester United and Crystal Palace.

Akanji will also miss the second leg of City's Champions League playoff with Real Madrid on Wednesday, and should the Citizens overturn their one-goal deficit to progress, the defender will also miss home and away ties in the last 16 between March 4 and 11.

In addition, Akanji will not be available for Man City's FA Cup fifth-round clash against Plymouth Argyle on March 1, or a possible quarter-final tie at the end of that month.

Who could play at right-back for Man City in Akanji's absence?

Before picking up his injury, Akanji has started 29 of his 30 appearances for Man City across all competitions this season, including 20 starts in the Premier League and eight in the Champions League.

Akanji has predominantly played at centre-back this season, but he was handed a start at right-back against Real Madrid to cope with the threat of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, as both Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes have struggled for form, while Kyle Walker joined AC Milan on loan last month.

Guardiola is now tasked with resolving another right-back dilemma and whether he reverts to selecting one of Lewis or Nunes, or calls upon someone new such as Abdukodir Khusanov, remains to be seen.

Man City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes that Guardiola "would be tempted" to try Khusanov at right-back considering his "Kyle Walker-esque pace".

Written by

Oliver Thomas