English defender John Stones, who recently returned from a hip injury, relapsed on Tuesday with Manchester City in the Champions League, said his coach Pep Guardiola, fearing another long-term absence.
The 29-year-old missed the first two months of the season, before returning to competition on October 8 at club level. On Tuesday, he was replaced at half-time in the Champions League group match won 3-0 against the Swiss Bern.
“Unfortunately, he felt it again,” Guardiola said on TNT Sports about the defender’s old injury. “I’m so sorry for him, he’s such a professional, it’s a big loss for us,” commented the coach.
He now needs “rest, the season is long, he will come back stronger,” he assured.
Asked if the unavailability will be long-term, Guardiola replied: “Yes, I think so.”
Stones was one of the main architects of the English Cup, Championship and Champions League treble achieved in 2023 by Manchester City, along with Belgian attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, still recovering after being injured in the first match of the Premier League season.