Guardiola gives Akanji fitness update | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola is hoping he can have Manuel Akanji and the rest of his Manchester City defenders available before the end of the season.

City have been hit with injury issues throughout the campaign with Erling Haaland the latest to join the casualty list after sustaining an ankle injury in the FA Cup victory at Bournemouth.

He will miss the Premier League clash with Leicester on Wednesday at the Etihad at 19:45 (UK), along with Akanji, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Rodri.

The setbacks have severley depleted Guardiola’s defensive options with Josko Gvardiol the only player to be available for almost every fixture.

Akanji suffered an abductor injury against Real Madrid in mid-February and the Swiss defender is on the road to recovery.

“He’s training better,” Guardiola said in his pre-match news conference. “All of them will come before the end of the season.

“I don’t know when but he’s getting better. It’s been a long time since he has been out.

“Same with John and Nathan, the three of them. I’m lucky that Josko is a real warrior.

“He has been there all season. I cannot imagine what would happen without him. I am grateful and appreciate his focus to be ready all the time.”

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The defence was boosted by the arrival of Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis in the January transfer window and the pair have already made an impact in our challenge for the FA Cup and strong Premier League finish.

With the injuries that City have suffered this season, Guardiola said it would be a big achievement to qualify for the 2025/26 Champions League.

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“It would be incredible, for the problems that we have,” he added.

“When we won the Treble, everybody was there. When we won a quadruple, everybody was there. We won the double and everybody was there.

“Imagine without Khusanov and Vitor, we would compete in last six or seven weeks with just one central defender, Ruben [Dias]. That is difficult.

“Even in that position, we have won one title this season - the Community Shield. Alongside Newcastle we are the two ones that have done it.

“It’s between Arsenal and Liverpool who will win the Premier League and we will see in the FA Cup.

“With the situations we’ve had, to be in the Champions League next season will be incredible.

“There are seasons sometimes this happens, don’t tell me why. Hopefully everything is in that season, all the wars in that season so next season will be completely different. I hope so.”