Pep Guardiola says Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji is set to undergo surgery on an adductor injury and is expected to be sidelined for up to 10 weeks.
Akanji was taken off at half-time in the midweek Champions League loss at home to Real Madrid and was replaced by Rico Lewis, with Guardiola confirming at full-time this was due to a muscular problem.
His prognosis means he will likely be sidelined until at least April and will miss City’s important upcoming fixtures against Newcastle United, Real Madrid and Liverpool.
“He has surgery on Saturday,” Guardiola said during Friday’s pre-Newcastle press conference. “(It will be) eight to 10 weeks out.”
The 29-year-old Switzerland international has made 30 appearances for City across all competitions so far this season, starting 28 matches across the Premier League and Champions League.
He previously missed four weeks of the season after sustaining minor muscular injuries in November and December.
City signed two centre-backs in the January transfer window, adding Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens and Brazilian defender Vitor Reis from Palmeiras.
Jack Grealish was also forced off in the first half of Tuesday’s defeat to Madrid and Guardiola said the England international is a doubt for the weekend’s visit of Newcastle.
“It is not as tough as Manu but I don’t know if he will be ready tomorrow,” Guardiola said of Grealish. “I don’t think so but we will assess in the next hours.”
After Saturday’s Premier League fixture against, City travel to Madrid for the second leg of their Champions League play-off match on Wednesday. Guardiola’s side trail 3-2 from the first leg.
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