Manu Akanji Set to Return for Manchester City’s Vital Clash with Bournemouth After Injury Scare
Comeback Ready.
Manu Akanji is optimistic about his return for Manchester City’s Premier League face-off with Bournemouth after missing the Carabao Cup defeat against Tottenham due to injury concerns.
Originally named in the starting lineup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Akanji was unexpectedly withdrawn just before kickoff, with Ruben Dias stepping in. Initial reports from Sky Sports indicated a possible calf issue, but Pep Guardiola clarified that Akanji had felt “something muscular in the meniscus” during a training session on Tuesday.
While Akanji was initially cleared to play, he experienced similar discomfort during the warm-up, prompting a last-minute decision to pull him from the lineup. Guardiola explained that, despite the Swiss international’s willingness to start, the choice was ultimately made to err on the side of caution.
Now, Sky reports that Akanji has shared he is “fine” and anticipates returning to training on Friday. The issue, described as “tightness in his groin,” is not expected to hinder his readiness for the Bournemouth match at Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
Akanji’s potential return couldn’t come at a better time for City, who are grappling with a wave of injuries. Guardiola left Tottenham noting that he had only 13 fit players available. With Savinho undergoing further testing after being stretchered off against Spurs, six other City players are sidelined until after the international break.
Reports from Brazil and Spain hint that Savinho’s injury might not be as severe as initially feared, but a clearer update is expected from Guardiola on Friday. Meanwhile, Josko Gvardiol is uncertain after receiving treatment post-Spurs game, and Ruben Dias is reportedly “struggling.” Rodri and Oscar Bobb are still out for the longer term, while Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish, and Jeremy Doku won’t be back until after the break.
City faces a challenging week of away fixtures following their Carabao Cup exit, with trips to Bournemouth, Sporting, and Brighton on the schedule.
