Josko Gvardiol
MCICroatia
Left
Jan 23, 2002
24
6'1"
176 lb
CB
LB
Driving Centre Back
Man CityRanking
News
Targeting mid-May return
Gvardiol (fracture) is expected to begin running within the next 10 days and is targeting a return to full training by mid-May, according to Sportske Novosti.
Analysis: Gvardiol suffered a tibial fracture Jan. 4 against Chelsea and underwent successful surgery nine days later, but the recovery is clearly moving in the right direction with the bone healing process now complete. The defender has been a massive loss for City after posting two goals and three assists in 21 appearances across all competitions before going down. The next few weeks will center on functional recovery in the muscles and joints, and while a mid-May return would leave little time to build back match sharpness before the season wraps up, having him fully fit for Croatia's World Cup preparations this summer remains the main objective. Nathan Ake and Abdukodir Khusanov have taken on bigger roles during his absence, while Ruben Dias and Marc Guehi are currently the preferred pairing in central defense.
Needs surgery on fractured tibia
Gvardiol will undergo surgery after it was confirmed that he suffered a tibial fracture during Sunday's match against Chelsea, the club announced Monday.
Analysis: Gvardiol is likely to be ruled out for a long period, but his full recovery timeline remains to be determined. The defender's absence is a huge blow to the squad given that he has been a constant presence in the starting lineup, scoring two goals and three assists in 21 appearances and averaging 3.9 clearances per game. Both Nathan Ake and Abdukodir Khusanov are options to play in Gvardiol's place, with both of them featuring if Ruben Dias (undisclosed) is also sidelined.
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