CITY SPECIAL Sterling out of England squad with back injury
CITY have a new injury worry after forward Raheem Sterling withdrew from international duty with England a back problem.
Sterling had been expected to link up with Gareth Southgate’s squad as a key part of the team following England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals.
The City winger had a difficult time in Russia in a more central role, but he has started the new season well.
A fine goal against Arsenal on the opening weekend was followed by another lovely finish on Saturday against Newcastle. He lasted the full game as City won 2-1, with no indication of any injuries.
However, the FA confirmed that Sterling would not play a part in England’s two fixtures this week against Spain and Switzerland due to a problem with his lower back.
The extent of Sterling’s injury is unknown and England are not expected to call up an immediate replacement.
Sterling’s set-back will worry Pep Guardiola, who has stressed the importance of having a fully fit squad for the congested fixture schedule throughout the autumn.
With Kevin de Bruyne out for some time, City will hope Sterling’s England withdrawal is simply a precaution. If not, they will be without another key first team player.
John Stones, Fabian Delph, and Kyle Walker remain in the England squad. “AFTER we come back from the international break the real season starts in terms of games, games, games.”
That is the belief of Pep Guardiola, who has seen his City side take 10 points from their opening four Premier League matches.
He now has the best part of two weeks to work with his side before a gruelling schedule begins throughout the autumn months.
There is the Premier League campaign, Champions League group stages, and Carabao Cup third, fourth and quarter-final rounds to carefully negotiate before 2018 is out.
When City return to Premier League action against Fulham on Saturday, September 15, it could kick-start a run of up to 23 games in just 98 days before Christmas.
That is a game every four days on average – and because the league game against Tottenham has been rescheduled for Monday, October 29, if City make the Carabao Cup fourth round they could have to play twice in just three days that week.
But Guardiola is a meticulous planner and is already putting the work in to combat the high turnover of fixtures – especially in defence.
In City’s four league games so far, he has deployed a different centre-back pairing each time, plus a back-three in the win over Huddersfield.
Aymeric Laporte has featured in every line-up and John Stones in all but one.
Nicolas Otamendi hasn’t featured since coming on as a late substitution against Chelsea in the Community Shield.
More rotation will be expected for the rest of the season according to Stones, who explained how it will become useful when recovery times between matches is minimal. “We work on it so much in training, different pairings, different systems and every scenario,” he said. “I think the more we train on it and more partnerships we create, it makes it easier and more seamless when we come out on the pitch. “There are more games coming up now, maybe two or three games in a week, so there’s going to be more changes. “The more work we can get in now and getting to know teammates and centre-back pairings is important.” Despite learning various different systems, Stones said Guardiola makes sure each player knows their individual roles. “We play so many different systems but Pep does pull you aside. He says it in a very simplistic way so you’re not flooding your brain. “We play so many different systems you’ve got to adapt quite quickly.” Pep Guardiola