Manuel Akanji To Miss Ten Weeks As Manchester City Confirm Defender Needs Surgery

Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji is set to miss ten weeks after the club confirmed he requires surgery on a thigh injury.

The Swiss international, 29, picked up the injury on Tuesday as City were beaten 3-2 by Real Madrid in the Champions League.

He will require an operation to fix the thigh problem and is expected to be out for up to ten weeks.

Akanji will, therefore, miss City’s return leg against Madrid on Wednesday, 19 February.

Pep Guardiola Gives Update On Manuel Akanji Injury

Speaking on Friday, City manager Pep Guardiola said: “He has surgery on Saturday. Eight to ten weeks out.

“We only wish the best recovery for Manu [Akanji]. The effort he has done this season has been unbelievable.

“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.”

In better news for City, Jack Grealish’s groin injury – also picked up against Madrid – is thought to be less severe.

However, Guardiola still thinks the England international will miss Saturday’s Premier League game against Newcastle United.

Pep added: “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.”

So far this season, Akanji has started 20 of 24 Premier League games for City. He has played 30 times in all competitions.

City have been plagued by a number of injuries, particularly in defence. Akanji had only just returned from injury himself, while Nathan Ake, John Stones and Ruben Dias have all spent time on the sidelines.

In September, the champions lost Ballon d’Or winner Rodri to a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture.

City are currently fifth in the Premier League table, 16 points adrift of leaders Liverpool.