Manchester City have been given a timely lift in their pursuit of the Premier League title after encouraging signs emerged over the fitness of Josko Gvardiol.
The defender has been out of action since January following surgery on a fractured tibia, an absence that has raised questions about his availability during a decisive stage of the campaign.
However, his camp has now played down fears of any complications in his recovery, suggesting he could yet feature before the season concludes.
City’s run-in across domestic competitions has been shaped by marginal gains, where squad depth and player availability often prove decisive.
In that context, Gvardiol’s condition has drawn particular attention, not least because of his ability to operate across multiple defensive roles within Pep Guardiola’s system.
Initial assessments following the injury indicated steady progress, with optimism that the Croatia international would regain full fitness in time for major upcoming commitments, including international duty.
Yet more recent reports in England cast doubt on whether he would play any part in City’s closing fixtures of the season.
Those concerns have now been addressed publicly by his representative, who insisted the player remains firmly on track in his rehabilitation.
“We understand the public interest and the articles that have appeared in the English media,” Dubravac said in conversation with Sportske Novosti, as relayed by Sport Witness. “As you can see, during this period Josko (Gvardiol) is not appearing in public or posting on social media.
“He is extremely motivated and focused on getting back on the field and being available to the club, and especially the national team.
“Even when he was on his time off and came to Croatia, he had his official physical therapist with him and worked on his recovery every day.
“Everyone who knows him will tell you that his level of professionalism is fascinating. As always, the most important thing is for him to be fully fit and healthy. He has worked his entire life, sacrificing and fighting to be at the highest level and play for his country.”
Defensive boost could prove decisive
For City, the prospect of welcoming Gvardiol back before the end of the season offers more than just an additional option — it could influence how Guardiola manages his squad during a demanding period.
The Sky Blues remain locked in a close contest with Arsenal at the top of the table, with little separating the sides as the campaign approaches its conclusion.
In such circumstances, the flexibility to rotate defenders and adapt to different opponents may become a key factor.
Gvardiol’s versatility allows him to operate both centrally and on the left side of defence, attributes that have made him a valuable component of City’s tactical structure.
- Pundit predicts real fight between Man City vs Everton, drops match prediction
- Man City planning to splash £60M on another world-class winger – Report
His return would not only increase competition for places but also provide Guardiola with greater scope to manage workloads across multiple fixtures.
Title race margins leave little room for error
With just weeks remaining, the Premier League title race is expected to be decided by the finest of margins. Every selection decision, tactical adjustment and moment of individual quality could carry significant weight.
City’s recent success has often been underpinned by the depth of their squad, enabling them to sustain performance levels despite injuries and fixture congestion.
The potential reintroduction of Gvardiol would reinforce that depth at a critical juncture.
While no definitive timeline has been set for his return, the latest update offers encouragement that he could yet play a part before the final whistle of the season.
