- Nathan Ake was forced to half-time against Plymouth Argyle with a foot injury
- The Dutch central rear required surgery to repair a fracture in the foot
- Listen now: everything is launched! Is it hard on Anthony Gordon that the final of the Carabao Cup is missing?
Manchester City director Pep Guardiola gave fans a calendar for the return of defender Nathan Ake after feet surgery.
The central rear was forced at halftime during the FA Cup victory last weekend over Plymouth and then underwent an operation to repair a fracture.
This is the last of a series of fitness problems in a frustrating campaign for Dutch, the foot problem having been particularly annoying for some time.
Guardiola said at a press conference: 10 weeks, 11 weeks (outside), they told me. When you go to surgery, it is because something bad has happened.
“But the important thing is that it is done. He has fought a lot this season with problems in his feet. It happens.
AKE joins other central defenders John Stones and Manuel Akanji on the sidelines, who are also ready to miss most of the rest of the season with thigh and groin problems respectively.
Manchester City director Pep Guardiola gave fans a calendar for the return of Nathan Ake
The central rear was forced at halftime during the FA Cup victory last weekend over Plymouth
The injuries were a recurring theme throughout the disappointing season of City, in which they fell well from the rhythm in the Premier League and left the Champions League before the last stage.
After winning the title in the last four seasons, City’s main objective in terms of the championship is now finished in the top four.
Currently fourth, they face a crisis test on Saturday as they go to the third Nottingham forest, which was one of the surprise packages in the competition this quarter.
Behind them, the battle is also tight, with the 10th Aston Villa villa at only five points, and Guardiola is realistic about the position of his team.
He said: “It will not be the end of the world if we do not qualify for the Champions League.
“If this does not happen, it is because we have not been good enough and the other teams deserve it. After 38 lights, it’s fairly fair. The result is finished.
“We are in the position that is not ideal, but it is not too bad. It’s in our hands and we’re going to fight for that.
Guardiola is expecting a difficult competition on the city of the city, even if the form of Forest recently dropped after three games without victory.
He is the last of a series of fitness problems in a frustrating campaign for Dutchman
Guardiola said: “ If you are third in the table after 8 to 10 lights, it’s ok – but if it happens with 11 games, and you are still third, it’s because you really did, really, really good.
“You can’t be there for several months without doing a lot of good things. So it’s impressive, I would say.
“They defend themselves very well, aggressive, compact and good in transitions. They are good with the long balls and the four at the front are really good. They create a lot.
