Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol is recovering well from injury but Pep Guardiola and co face a race against time to recall the Croatian to the pitch this season.
The 23-year-old suffered a tibial fracture on his right leg in early January that saw him undergo surgery as Manchester City await the return of one of their best centre-halves in the business stages of the campaign.
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Gvardiol is expected to not play any further part for the Blues this season – with the Croatia international likely eyeing a swift return to fitness in time for this summer’s FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
However, as Manchester City embark upon a season-defining run of games, Guardiola and co have been handed a fresh update on the fitness of Gvardiol.
Rico Lewis, Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol fitness updates from Pep Guardiola for Newcastle United and Real Madrid
What has been reported on Josko Gvardiol’s recovery?
Sportske Novosti have reported that Gvardiol is ahead of his recovery schedule and has started to walk without a protective boot, as relayed by Sport Witness.
However, the Manchester City centre-back is still feeling ‘some pain’ in training – which is likely being conducted at an individual level for Gvardiol for now.
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Manchester City’s medical staff are described to be pleased with Gvardiola’s progress since injury and the defender is in line for a return to action come May.
However, whether Gvardiol can play a part for City in the final stretch of their Premier League run-in remains to be seen as the Blues look to cut Arsenal’s seven point lead at the top of the table in their final nine games of the league campaign.
Will Josko Gvardiol play again for Manchester City this season?
It would depend on Gvardiol’s recovery and match fitness upon his return to determine whether the Croatian will play part in City’s run-in this term.
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The Blues possess great depth in defence as things stand, having recalled academy graduate Max Alleyne midway through a season-long loan in January and signed Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace for £20 million.
Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Abdukodir Khusanov are also all fit and available and Guardiola will be breathing a sigh of relief that his defence has achieved stability at a pivotal juncture of the season, having endured another personnel crisis in defence this term – after City’s well-documented struggles from the 2024-25 campaign.
Gvardiol will be desperate to prove his fitness for the FIFA World Cup and despite his desire to be back for Manchester City as soon as possible, the former RB Leipzig star will be prioritising country over club as he navigates the final months of his recovery.
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