Manchester City defender suffers injury concerns continue to pile up as Pep Guardiola’s side faces another setback ahead of the international break.
Abdukodir Khusanov, one of the team’s rising defensive talents, is the latest to join the treatment table, with early reports suggesting he could be sidelined for at least two weeks.
The injury comes at a time when the Premier League champions are struggling for form, having endured a disappointing start to the new campaign.
With only one win from their opening three fixtures, City currently sit in 13th place with three points from a possible nine. Their season has been further complicated by the number of key players unavailable for selection due to fitness issues.
Injury Woes Deepen for Pep Guardiola’s Squad
The 2-1 defeat to Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Sunday was a tough result for Guardiola’s men, but the loss of Khusanov added an extra layer of concern. The defender was withdrawn midway through the game after feeling discomfort in his left calf muscle.
Speaking after the match, Pep Guardiola offered a brief update on his player’s condition. He tried to remain optimistic by claiming that the defender is fine.
Meanwhile, the Uzbekistan Football Association has since confirmed the nature of the injury, releasing a statement on Monday.
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“Uzbekistan national team defender Abdukodir Khusanov felt unwell yesterday during Manchester City’s match against Brighton,” the statement reads.
“After tests, it was revealed that our player has a minor injury to his left calf muscle. According to preliminary findings, the recovery period is expected to be two weeks.”
Manchester City’s Early Season Struggles
This latest injury adds to the growing list of setbacks Manchester City have endured in the early stages of the season. Several first-team players were already sidelined during the opening fixtures, forcing Guardiola to reshuffle his team multiple times.
Despite Khusanov only joining the club in January, his performances have earned praise from the coaching staff and supporters alike.
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The young defender has shown composure and adaptability, seamlessly stepping in when called upon.
Therefore, his absence for the next couple of weeks will be felt, particularly as City prepare for a challenging run of fixtures after the international break.
