Due to a thigh injury, Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji will need surgery and might miss up to ten weeks of action.
The 29-year-old Swiss international Akanji was hurt during Real Madrid’s 3-2 Champions League knockout round play-off loss at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
He has surgery on Saturday. Eight to 10 weeks out,” manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday.
The groin injury suffered by Jack Grealish in the same first-leg match is less serious. However, Guardiola said he does not think the England international will be available for Saturday’s Premier League home game against Newcastle United.
On Grealish, Guardiola said: “It’s not as tough as what Manu [Akanji] has done, but I don’t know if he will be ready tomorrow.
“I don’t think so, but we will assess him.”
Akanji has made 30 appearances in all competitions this season, starting 20 of City’s 24 Premier League games.
After losing their star defensive midfielder Rodri to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in September, City is currently in fifth place in the Premier League, 16 points behind leaders Liverpool.
Following the recent returns from absences of fellow defenders John Stones, Nathan Ake, and Ruben Dias, Akanji’s injury occurs.
We only wish the best recovery for Manu [Akanji]. The effort he has done this season has been unbelievable,” Guardiola said.
“Him and Nathan [Ake] have played in difficult conditions. Help the team in [an] emergency. Helped in right-back.
“In the end the body said enough is enough.”
