Ahead of their Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest, Manchester City faces a series of injury and fitness concerns that will test Pep Guardiola’s squad depth. The team, fresh off a 3-1 FA Cup victory over Plymouth Argyle, will aim to extend their winning streak to three matches in all competitions when they travel to the City Ground on Saturday. However, the Manchester club is currently dealing with several key injuries, including some long-term absences that will impact the team’s selection options.
As of March 5, 2025, Manchester City finds themselves missing several key players, most notably midfielder Rodri, defenders Nathan Ake, John Stones, and Manuel Akanji, and forward Oscar Bobb. Here’s a breakdown of the current injury status for each player:
Rodri
Status: Out
Injury: Knee
Expected Return: Unknown
Rodri’s knee injury has been one of the most significant blows for Manchester City this season. Originally expected to be ruled out for the rest of the campaign due to the severity of the injury, the Spanish midfielder has made remarkable progress in his recovery. While his return date remains unclear, there is hope that Rodri may be available before the season ends. His absence has left a sizable gap in City’s midfield, given his role as a defensive anchor and playmaker. His recovery will be a key factor in City’s season as they approach the business end of the campaign.
Akanji underwent successful surgery on an abductor injury sustained in mid-February. The Swiss international will be unavailable until at least the middle of April. This injury setback has depleted City’s defensive options, particularly with the club already struggling with other injuries in defense. Akanji had been a key figure in Guardiola’s backline, and his absence leaves a notable gap in the defense.
John Stones
Status: Out
Injury: Thigh
Expected Return: Unknown
Stones has missed the last three games after being forced off with a thigh injury during the Champions League clash against Real Madrid. The extent of his injury remains unclear, and it is uncertain when he will be back in action. Stones’ absence comes at a critical time as City grapples with a defensive crisis, and his leadership and experience in central defense will be sorely missed. Guardiola will need to adapt in the interim, potentially relying on other players to step up and fill the void.
Oscar Bobb
Status: Out
Injury: Ankle/fitness
Expected Return: Unknown
Bobb had been recovering from a serious leg injury when he suffered a setback in the form of an ankle issue. The young attacker has not yet been able to fully regain his fitness and remains unavailable for selection. It’s unclear when Bobb will return, but his absence further complicates Guardiola’s selection options in the attacking department.
Nathan Ake
Status: Out
Injury: Foot
Expected Return: Out for the season
Nathan Ake’s injury has been a major blow for Manchester City’s defense. The Dutch international underwent surgery for a fractured foot and will miss the remainder of the 2024-2025 season. Ake has been a versatile and reliable option for Guardiola, playing both at center-back and left-back. His absence leaves City with fewer defensive options, and the team will need to cope without one of their most consistent performers. The focus will now be on Ake’s rehabilitation as he aims to return next season.
With several key players sidelined, Manchester City’s defensive depth has been severely tested. Guardiola will have to rely on the likes of Ruben Dias, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vitor Reis to form the defense for the upcoming match against Nottingham Forest. Dias is the most experienced of the remaining defenders and will likely play a pivotal role in stabilizing the backline. Both Khusanov and Reis are relatively inexperienced at the top level, which will put additional pressure on the pair to perform in a high-stakes Premier League fixture.
The absence of Ake, Stones, and Akanji for the foreseeable future means that Guardiola has limited options at the heart of his defense. The coach will be tasked with finding a cohesive and functional defensive unit from the available players. The situation is especially difficult with the importance of maintaining solid defensive performances, given the ongoing title race and the club’s ambitions in other competitions.
Suspension News
As of now, Manchester City has no players suspended for the upcoming match against Nottingham Forest. This is a relief for Guardiola, as his team faces a crucial stretch of games in the Premier League and beyond. However, the injury crisis means that the available squad will be stretched even further, and the focus will be on getting the most out of the available players.
Nottingham Forest, who have surprised many this season, currently sit third in the Premier League, just one point ahead of Manchester City in fourth. Forest has been one of the standout teams of the season, particularly under the guidance of manager Steve Cooper. They have made significant strides in the Premier League since their promotion, and their solid defense and attacking prowess make them a formidable opponent for any team.
The Forest defense, combined with their impressive attacking play, will pose a challenge for a Manchester City side that is missing several key defenders. City’s frail defense will need to be at its best to neutralize the attacking threat of Forest, which includes the likes of Taiwo Awoniyi, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Brennan Johnson. Guardiola’s side will have to be wary of Forest’s counter-attacking ability and set-piece threat, as they have shown a tendency to exploit spaces left by opposing teams.
While City will be without several key defensive players, they still possess a wealth of attacking talent. With players like Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jack Grealish leading the charge, Guardiola will hope to capitalize on Forest’s defensive weaknesses and secure all three points in this crucial fixture.
The ongoing injury crisis at Manchester City presents a significant challenge for Guardiola. The club has been forced to navigate the absence of key players, especially in defense, for much of the season. The injuries to Rodri, Ake, Stones, and Akanji leave City with a depleted squad, but Guardiola’s ability to adapt and make the most of his remaining resources will be crucial in the coming weeks.
City will be relying heavily on their experienced players, such as Dias and Kevin De Bruyne, to lead the charge in both attack and defense. Dias will be a key figure in central defense, while De Bruyne will be tasked with orchestrating attacks and ensuring that City remains a threat in the final third. Additionally, the emergence of younger players like Khusanov and Reis could provide an opportunity for fresh faces to make their mark on the team during this difficult period.
While the injuries have piled up, City still have one of the most talented squads in the Premier League. With Haaland’s goal-scoring form, De Bruyne’s creativity, and Guardiola’s tactical brilliance, City will remain a formidable force, even without some of their key defensive players. However, Guardiola’s tactical flexibility and ability to make adjustments will be tested as he navigates this injury crisis.
Manchester City faces a challenging task ahead as they prepare to take on Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The team is dealing with several key injuries, including long-term absences for Nathan Ake and Rodri, as well as ongoing fitness concerns for John Stones and Manuel Akanji. Despite these setbacks, City remains a top contender in the Premier League, and Pep Guardiola will need to find solutions to ensure that his side continues to compete at the highest level.
The match against Forest will be a key test of City’s squad depth and resilience. With a makeshift defense and a lack of key midfielders, Guardiola will be relying on his remaining stars to step up and deliver the performance needed to secure three vital points. Although Forest presents a formidable challenge, City’s attacking talent and depth should give them the upper hand in this fixture, provided they can weather the storm in defense.
As the season progresses, Manchester City will continue to battle through their injury issues, with the hope that key players like Rodri and Stones will return to bolster the squad. In the meantime, Guardiola will have to navigate the remainder of the campaign with a patched-up defense, but if anyone can make the most of limited resources, it is the Catalan manager.
