Manchester City received a significant double injury boost ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League fixture against Fulham, with both John Stones and Abdukodir Khusanov declared fit to play by manager Pep Guardiola. The return of the two defenders comes at a crucial time for City, as they look to maintain their title challenge.
Stones, who has been sidelined for over two months with a thigh injury, has resumed full training and Guardiola confirmed his availability at a press conference. John is back,
Guardiola stated. He is fit, I would say.
The England international last featured for City in their 5-4 victory over Fulham on , and his return provides a much-needed reinforcement to City’s defensive options.
Khusanov’s recovery is equally timely. The defender was forced off during Sunday’s dramatic 2-1 win at Liverpool after suffering a head injury. However, Guardiola has confirmed that Khusanov has been cleared to play against Fulham. This quick recovery allows Guardiola to field a more settled defensive lineup.
The victory at Anfield, secured by an Erling Haaland penalty in stoppage time, was pivotal in keeping City’s title hopes alive. A draw would have left them eight points adrift of league leaders Arsenal with 13 games remaining. The manner of the win, following a run of just one win in their previous six matches, could inject much-needed momentum into City’s campaign.
Despite the positive injury news and the crucial win at Liverpool, Guardiola remains focused on addressing his team’s recent tendency to falter in the second half of games. He expressed his frustration with the pattern, questioning what needs to be done to improve their second-half performances. Every time in the last month, last weeks, when I go for interviews, always (they say) if you lose you are losing everything and going to disappear from planet Earth!
Guardiola said. For me it is what do we have to do to beat Fulham? What do we have to do to make the second half closer to the first? What is the reason why we are still dropping our performances? If we don’t improve that, we will not win….
The return of Stones is particularly significant given his importance to Guardiola’s tactical system. He offers versatility, capable of playing both as a central defender and in defensive midfield, and his ball-playing ability is crucial to City’s build-up play. His absence has been felt acutely over the past two months, and his return provides Guardiola with greater tactical flexibility.
Khusanov’s availability also adds depth to the squad. While not a regular starter, his ability to fill in at multiple positions makes him a valuable asset, particularly during a congested fixture schedule. His recovery from the head injury is a testament to the club’s medical staff and his own resilience.
The Fulham match represents an opportunity for City to build on the momentum gained from the win at Liverpool and close the gap on Arsenal. Guardiola will be hoping that the return of Stones and Khusanov will provide a solid foundation for a positive result. However, he is also acutely aware of the need to address the team’s second-half struggles if they are to maintain a serious challenge for the Premier League title.
The timing of these returns is particularly beneficial as City navigates a demanding period of the season. With league and potentially Champions League commitments looming, having a fully fit squad will be essential. Guardiola will likely rotate his squad to manage player fatigue, but the availability of Stones and Khusanov provides him with more options.
The focus now shifts to Wednesday’s match against Fulham, where City will look to capitalize on their renewed defensive strength and address the tactical concerns highlighted by Guardiola. The game presents a chance to solidify their position in the title race and demonstrate the improvements needed to overcome their recent inconsistencies.
