Man City star John Stones’ injury may not be as bad as Pep Guardiola has suggested....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
That is the view of injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.
Stones, 27, has not featured since he suffered a suspected hamstring injury in the 3-0 win over Brighton last month (20 April).
As quoted by club media last Saturday (8 May), Guardiola said: “Next pre-season maybe [he] will be ready.”
Asked if the manager’s comments leave open the possibility that Stones’ pre-season preparations might be disrupted, Dinnery was sceptical.
“I take comments from Pep with a pinch of salt,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“Yes, it’s a season-ending injury, but there’s nothing to suggest that we are looking at a significant spell on the sidelines.
“The turnaround this summer is going to be a bit quicker because of the World Cup and the early start. But I’d be very surprised if this causes any problems for pre-season.
“Stones was a player who was risked with a tight hamstring. I don’t think there is anything to worry about. I always think ‘here we go again’. It’s just Pep being very guarded as usual.“
Stones has scored twice in 26 appearances in 2021-22.
City need just four points over their last two games to mathematically seal the title but are also without Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and possibly Aymeric Laporte in defence.