Manchester City defender Nathan Ake is battling to return to action before the end of the season after undergoing surgery on a fractured left foot.
The Netherlands international has been a key figure for City since joining from Bournemouth in 2020, particularly over the past two seasons.
However, injuries have disrupted his current campaign, limiting him to just 18 appearances.
Ake was forced off at halftime during City’s FA Cup fifth-round victory over Plymouth Argyle after aggravating a long-standing issue.
His recovery timeline remains uncertain, but the club hopes he can return before the season concludes.
“Ten weeks or 11 weeks they said to me,” Guardiola said his pre-match news conference.
“When it is surgery, it is pretty serious. When you have surgery it is because something wrong happened. Important is it is done. He has struggled. It happened.”
Nathan Ake’s Absence Adds to City’s Defensive Concerns
Nathan Ake faces a race against time to be fit for Manchester City’s final Premier League game of the season against Fulham on May 25.
However, he is expected to recover in time for the Netherlands’ potential Nations League semi-final in June, should they qualify, as well as City’s Club World Cup campaign in the United States later in the summer.
Ake’s absence adds to City’s defensive concerns, with fellow experienced defenders John Stones and Manuel Akanji also sidelined due to injuries.
The reigning Premier League champions are battling to secure a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.
Man City currently sit fourth in the Premier League, one point behind third-placed Nottingham Forest, whom they face on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Chelsea and Newcastle, in fifth and sixth place respectively, remain within striking distance.
