Manchester City are facing a fresh injury setback ahead of their highly anticipated FA Cup quarter-final meeting with Liverpool, with concerns mounting over the fitness of two England internationals.
The club are already managing a demanding schedule, and the latest developments could complicate preparations for one of their most important fixtures of the season.
Injuries sustained during the international break have once again highlighted the risks clubs face when players represent their countries, particularly at such a crucial stage of the campaign.
Fresh injury concerns after international duty
City’s worries centre around Phil Foden, who was forced off during England’s 1-1 friendly draw with Uruguay on Friday night. The forward’s evening was cut short following a heavy challenge from Ronald Araujo, an incident that quickly became a talking point.
Araujo appeared to win the ball, but his follow-through caught Foden dangerously high on the ankle.
The tackle has since been widely debated, especially considering the non-competitive nature of the match. Many observers questioned the intensity of the challenge, given the context of a friendly match.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel reacted angrily from the touchline in the immediate aftermath, clearly frustrated by the nature of the incident.
Foden required treatment on the pitch before eventually being substituted, while Araujo avoided a dismissal despite the severity of the contact.
At present, the full extent of the injury remains unclear. Manchester City’s medical team are expected to conduct further examinations once the player returns to club duty.
There will be particular concern over the ankle area, given the force of the impact and the potential for ligament damage.
The situation leaves City in a period of uncertainty, with little time to assess and recover before their clash with Liverpool.
He is not the only player to return from international duty with fitness issues. Defender John Stones has also reported back to the club after picking up a calf problem while away with England.
The timing adds to Pep Guardiola’s growing list of concerns as he prepares his squad for the upcoming fixture.
Stones’ struggles continue amid uncertain future
For Stones, the latest injury setback is part of a frustrating pattern that has disrupted his recent seasons.
Despite his undeniable quality, the defender has struggled to maintain consistent fitness, limiting his overall contribution on the pitch.
This season, his involvement has been relatively restricted. He has featured for a total of 968 minutes across all competitions, including appearances in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and domestic cup matches.
While those numbers reflect some level of participation, they also underline how injuries have prevented him from building sustained momentum.
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The issue is not new. Since the start of the previous campaign, Stones has found it difficult to replicate the form that made him such a crucial part of City’s historic 2022–23 treble-winning side.
One of his standout moments during that period came in the UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul, where he delivered a man-of-the-match performance.
However, maintaining those high standards has proven challenging amid recurring fitness problems. Each setback has interrupted his rhythm, making it harder for him to establish himself as a regular starter in Guardiola’s system.
There is also growing uncertainty surrounding his future at the club. With his contract set to expire in June, there has been no indication of ongoing discussions regarding an extension.
The lack of progress suggests that his time at the Etihad Stadium could be approaching its conclusion.
Having joined from Everton in 2016, Stones has been part of one of the most successful periods in Manchester City’s history. Yet, as things stand, he may be entering the final months of his association with the club.
