Man City star to miss international meet up as defensive injury crisis deepens

Manchester City defender Nathan Ake will not meet up with the Netherlands squad on Monday ahead of the upcoming international fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar.

The 28-year-old missed Sunday’s pulsating 4-4 draw against Chelsea, due to injury, although few details have emerged regarding the severity of the problem. However, just as the game at Stamford Bridge wrapped up, the Netherlands confirmed the player will be remaining in Manchester for the time being.

In a statement on social media, the Dutch national said: “Nathan Ake will not join Oranje's training camp in Zeist tomorrow due to an injury. Get well soon @NathanAke!”

Ake’s knock only exacerbates the ongoing injury problems for City at the back, with John Stones also missing the Chelsea match due to an issue he suffered in the midweek win over Young Boys.

Pep Guardiola said in the aftermath of Tuesday’s Champions League game that Stones' injury would keep him out ‘for a while’, but added on Friday that the problem is not as bad as he first feared.

Manuel Akanji also picked up an injury on Tuesday when a back spasm forced him to sit out the 3-0 win over Young Boys, although he recovered in time to play against Chelsea. Sergio Gomez is another absentee for the champions, with the Spaniard recently seen on crutches, although he is expected to be back after the international break.

It means that Guardiola currently only has five fit defenders to choose from: Kyle Walker, Rico Lewis, Ruben Dias, Akanji and Josko Gvardiol.

Meanwhile, on the pitch, the captivating draw at Stamford Bridge saw City move a point clear at the top of the Premier League table, with Erling Haaland netting twice, Akanji scoring a header and Rodri’s shot flicking in off the toe of Thiago Silva late on.

As for Chelsea, Silva, Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson scored, before Cole Palmer - playing against City for the first time since his summer transfer - netted an injury-time equaliser from the spot.

After the international break, City host Liverpool in the Premier League, a match that will pit first against second.