Image Credits: Imago Images
Manchester City will aim to continue their strong form when they face Premier League champions Liverpool in Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final.
The Citizens went into the international break on a high after beating Arsenal 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final, securing their first trophy of the season.
Pep Guardiola’s side will now look to move a step closer to a domestic cup double. However, Man City could be short at centre-back.
Josko Gvardiol is sidelined with a tibial fracture sustained earlier this year and faces a race to return before the season ends.
John Stones withdrew from the England squad with a calf injury and returned to City for treatment. Stones has struggled with recurring injury issues during his time at the club and was sidelined between December and February with a thigh problem initially deemed “not serious.”
Ahead of England’s clash with Japan on Tuesday night, Tuchel said: “It’s not ideal. Not ideal for John, and not ideal for us. “John was gutted that he had this minor incident again, which was not a big injury, but minor.
“Given the history, we had to be careful, it made no sense to push him through and make things even worse. He has a lot of credit with me in the bank still.
“He is a key player for us as a starter or as a substitute, as a part of the team, because of his quality, but also because of his mentality and the personality, how he is as a character.
“He is a big part in my plans still. Like everyone, he has to be fit. There is no big exception. Let’s wait and see how it plays out. He will have some days rest, [and will] be then on the pitch.
“I saw him playing for Man City in Newcastle, very complicated match and he did so, so well. I think he can get away with not too many minutes and being competitive would be nice. We will take a late decision.”
Ruben Dias is also a doubt due to a hamstring issue, having missed both the Carabao Cup final and Portugal’s recent friendlies. As a result, Guardiola may have to rely on Nathan Ake and Abdukodir Khusanov at the heart of defence against Liverpool.
Marc Guehi is, meanwhile, eligible to play for Man City in the FA Cup despite having featured for Crystal Palace earlier this season, including their shock defeat to non-league side Macclesfield.
The 25-year-old was ineligible to feature in the Carabao Cup win over Arsenal due to being cup-tied. The centre-back had made three appearances in the competition for Palace and only joined City after the semi-final first leg against Newcastle United.
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