John Stones
MCIEngland
Right
May 28, 1994
31
6'2"
176 lb
CB
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Driving Centre Back
Man CityOut to face Liverpool
Stones (calf) is ruled out for Saturday's FA Cup clash against Liverpool.
Analysis: Stones was unable to get back in time after leaving the England camp early with a calf issue, with England manager Thomas Tuchel raising the red flag earlier in the week. City will now lean on Marc Guehi, who is eligible to play in the FA Cup despite his January move from Crystal Palace, to step in and plug the hole at center-back. It's a tough break for a team trying to make a late title push, though Stones' absence doesn't shake up the starting XI too much since he had mostly been working in a rotational role this season.
Uncertain for FA Cup
Stones (calf) is uncertain to be available for the FA Cup clash against Liverpool on Saturday, according to Tashan Deniran-Alleyne of The Standard.
Analysis: "It's not ideal for John and not ideal for us, of course," said England manager Thomas Tuchel at a news conference earlier in the week when speaking about Stones' calf problem. The center-back could be held out of this Liverpool match if he's not 100 percent healthy, especially since Marc Guehi is available to feature in FA Cup matches despite his January move from Crystal Palace.
Departs international duty
Stones has departed international duty with the Three Lions due to an issue and is set for assessment, according to his national team.
Analysis: Stones had been known to be dealing with a calf issue and had left the England national team after their first friendly, returning to Manchester for assessment. This is likely cautionary as City pushes to make a late run at the league title, not wanting to risk further injury. In most outlooks, the defender is likely to train again this week and join City ahead of their FA Cup tie against Liverpool.
Doubtful with calf discomfort
Stones is questionable for England's friendly against Uruguay while he deals with a calf injury, Ian Dennis of BBC Sport reports.
Analysis: Stones has barely played in 2026 after struggling to recover from muscle problems, with his only appearances coming in FA Cup action on Feb. 14 and March 7, respectively. The defender might be sidelined over the international break, but the full extent of his injury remains unknown. In any case, all of Marc Guehi, Ruben Dias (hamstring) and Abdukodir Khusanov are currently expected to stay ahead of Stones among City's center-back options.
Starts in FA Cup
Stones started and played 65 minutes in Saturday's 2-0 win over Salford City.
Analysis: Stones returned to the starting XI for the first time since Nov. 25 on Saturday, featuring for just over an hour in the game. He would record a clean sheet in his time on the field, notching a tackle won, two interceptions and six clearances. After the longer absence due to his thigh injury, the defender's role at the club has taken a hit, as the addition of Marc Guehi will limit him even more, especially since Abdukodir Khusanov has started to break into the squad.
Selected for bench
Stones (thigh) is on the bench for Wednesday's match against Fulham.
Analysis: Stones was a late call for Wednesday and is with the club after a thigh injury, featuring from the bench. This ends a two-month-long absence as the club recovers another option in the defense. However, after the addition of Marc Guehi, the defender's role is likely to take a bit of a hit.
Could be available Wednesday
Stones (thigh) could be an option for Wednesday's clash against Fulham, head coach Pep Guardiola confirmed in his press conference. "John [Stones] is back on his feet."
Analysis: Stones returned to full team training last week and has responded well, putting him in the mix for Wednesday's matchup against Fulham. The versatile defender seems back on his feet and could rejoin the matchday squad in the coming games. That said, given his role prior to the injury and the added competition across both the backline and midfield, his minutes could be limited moving forward.
Back in team training
Stones (thigh) was back in team training for the first time on Thursday, coach Pep Guardiola said in the press conference. "John [Stones] had his first training session back with the team yesterday. Step by step he is coming back."
Analysis: Stones is trending in the right direction in the final phase of his recovery from a thigh injury after returning to full team training for the first time on Thursday, putting him close to a return to the match squad. That comeback is expected before the end of the month, though it is unlikely to come with an immediate spot in the starting XI, as he is set to work back in through a rotational role once fully fit.
Still hopeful to return soon
Stones (thigh) is still hopeful to return soon, according to manager Pep Guardiola.
Analysis: Stones remains without a quality update having not featured since Dec. 2 because of a muscle injury. Given the recent happenings that include returning Max Alleyne from loan and possibly transferring in Marc Guehi, the outlook doesn't look great for Stones. Even when he returns, he's failed to remain consistently healthy the last few seasons.
No timeline to return
Stones (thigh) has no timeline to return, coach Pep Guardiola said in the press conference, according to City Xtra. "No idea [when he will return]. He's not ready for the next games."
Analysis: Stones missed all the games since early December due to a thigh injury and still has no timeline to return. The versatile defender will likely spend some more weeks on the sidelines, but his absence will not impact the starting XI since he has mainly been a rotational player when fit this season.
Ruled out Saturday
Stones (thigh) will not make the trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, according to manager Pep Guardiola.
Analysis: Stones will remain sidelined, missing his fourth consecutive league match due to a thigh injury. He was not expected to be ready for the Nottingham game and is aiming for a return in the new year against Sunderland. Given his ongoing fitness issues this season, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol will likely continue as Manchester City's starting center-back pairing for the time being.
Could be back next week
Stones (thigh) could be back available next week against Nottingham Forest, coach Pep Guardiola said in the press conference. "We have five days, then for Nottingham [Forest] and Sunderland, maybe a few of them [Bobb, Stones, Rodri] start to be back."
Analysis: Stones missed the last three games due to a thigh injury but could be set to return next week against Nottingham Forest or on the first day of the new year against Sunderland. The return of the defender will be a nice boost to the backline to give the starters some rest since he should resume a rotational role for the Citizens moving forward.
Dealing with thigh injury
Stones (thigh) is dealing with a minor injury and will likely be back soon, assistant coach Kolo Toure said in the press conference. "It was his thigh. That's the problem. I'm sure it wasn't something too big. I think he will be back soon."
Analysis: Stones suffered a thigh injury last week, ruling him out of the last two games across all competitions, but it is likely only a minor issue, as assistant coach Kolo Toure expects him to be back soon. Stones' next chance to make the squad will come against West Ham United next Saturday. That said, Stones has mainly been a bench option this campaign, therefore his absence doesn't have an impact on the starting squad.
Timeline uncertain
Stones (leg) has no clear date for a return, according to manager Pep Guardiola. "Leg. I don't know yet [how long he will be out]."
Analysis: Stones had been out with an injury last match and is set to miss further time as he recovers, with the injury deemed a leg problem. However, he has no timeline for a return, leaving the club without a defensive replacement for the time being. He is serving in more of a depth role for the club and serves in the rotating defense, leaving the club with one less option in the defense.
Dealing with injury
Stones (undisclosed) is dealing with an injury and ruled out for the time being, coach Pep Guardiola said in a press conference, according to City Xtra. "To be honest, I don't know [how long he is out for]."
Analysis: Stones missed Saturday's 3-0 victory against Sunderland due to an undisclosed injury that will rule him out for the time being. A precise timeline to return is not yet known as the extent of his injury still has to be confirmed by the club. That said, the defender has been mainly a bench option this season for City, therefore his absence won't impact the starting XI.
Plays 90 against Huddersfield
Stones started and played the full 90 in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Huddersfield.
Analysis: Stones went unused last match but was an option in their midweek Carabao Cup match against Huddersfield, with the defender playing the full 90 after starting. This does clear him up for action moving forward, appearing to be fully fit after playing the whole match. That said, he did start in their first three games of the season and should return to their center-back rotation now that he is fit.
Fit for bench
Stones (strain) is on the bench for Sunday's match against Arsenal.
Analysis: Stones is back in the team sheet Sunday after he was out of the team Thursday despite training, returning to face Arseanl as many expected. He will now look to earn some time to test his legs before a potential start, as he did start in three games to open the season before missing their past two due to injury.
Trains, out Thursday
Stones was back in training Wednesday but is not an option for Thursday's match against Napoli, according to manager Pep Guardiola , per Tyrone Marshall of the Manchester Evening News. "The squad is really good, now we have a problem already with just 16 players, we need him back. When everyone is back, we can rotate and team on the bench make a good impact."
Analysis: Stones is on the mend this week after he was out with an undisclosed injury for the Manchester Derby, returning to the training field Wednesday. That said, he seems to be closing in on a return, possibly featuring over the weekend after missing Thursday's UCL opener. This will likely leave Ruben Dias and Abdukodir Khusanov to see the start until Stones returns.
Out Sunday
Stones (undisclosed) is out for Sunday's match against Manchester United.
Analysis: Stones was doubtful to face United and will not be an option for the derby, as the defender is once again out due to his undisclosed injury. He will now hope to join the club for the start of UCL play in just a few days.
Doubtful against Manchester United
Stones (undisclosed) is doubtful for Sunday's derby against Manchester United, coach Pep Guardiola said in the press conference. "Stones as well is a doubt. Not a big issue but he's a doubt for Sunday."
Analysis: Stones is dealing with a small issue and is a doubt for Sunday's derby against the Red Devils. The center-back will likely be assessed after the final training session to know if he can feature in the match squad for Sunday. That said, if he has to miss the game or start on the bench, Abdukodir Khusanov is expected to replace him in the backline on Sunday.
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