Injured Stones ‘worried’ ahead of Gunners clash

ace John Stones is now “worried” that he’ll be missing for this weekend’s crunch Premier League clash against Arsenal.

The England international hobbled off the Wembley pitch on Tuesday night, as Pep Guardiola’s injury list ahead of Sunday’s (11.30pm Malaysian time) match continues to grow.

The clock hadn’t even reached the 10-minute mark by the time Stones had indicated his intention to be subbed off during England’s 2-2 draw with Belgium.

A devastating blow for Stones, whose season has been disrupted by several injury problems throughout, and now, it looks as if he could be absent for City’s biggest Premier League game of the season so far against Arsenal.

According to a report by The Daily Star, Stones has returned to

Manchester to undergo scans on his groin and is “worried” that he won’t be fit in time to play against the Gunners – a game which could make or break City’s title defence.

Mikel Arteta’s men enter the weekend’s action top of the table and a victory for Arsenal in East Manchester could kill City’s hopes of securing a fourth consecutive Premier League title.

When asked after the Belgium stalemate, Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate admitted he was unsure how serious the injury problem for Stones was.

“No (it wasn’t a risk to play him). The first game (against Brazil) for him wasn’t a game that was a high level in terms of intensity… But of course, we’re disappointed if he’s got a problem,” Southgate said.

“It’s in the adductor area. He came in on the back of not having played for two weeks so it wasn’t an overload issue. But I hate sending players back to their clubs if they’re not fully fit.”

The Stones situation is yet another injury problem for Guardiola to contend with after numerous first-team players picked up knocks while away on international duty.

Matheus Nunes was missing for Portugal’s friendly against Slovenia because of a foot problem, while Manuel Akanji pulled out of the Switzerland squad because of a fitness concern, with Kyle Walker having also gone home from England duty early.

It isn’t all bad news for Guardiola though, with both Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish expected to be available. – Express Newspapers