Man City Injury News: Maresca's Ipswich Plan Hit by Double Blow

Maresca's Ipswich Preparations Overshadowed by Injury Concerns

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca is preparing for his side's first Premier League home game since the club was found guilty of financial breaches, with Ipswich the visitors on Saturday. But the build-up has been complicated by a growing injury list that now includes Benjamin Pavard, Lautaro Martinez, John Stones and Curtis Jones.

According to reports, Pavard has suffered a strain to the adductors of his right thigh, an injury confirmed by Inter after the Frenchman reported for medical examinations in Milan on Thursday morning. Initial reports suggest the defender will be sidelined for around 20 days, ruling him out of upcoming Serie A fixtures against Bologna, Fiorentina, Venezia and likely the Derby della Madonnina against Milan at the end of the month.

Inter's injury problems do not end there. Captain and talisman Lautaro Martinez picked up a hamstring issue during the club's 4-3 home defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League on Tuesday night and is now facing several weeks on the sidelines. Summer signing Curtis Jones is also nursing a thigh injury and faces another few weeks out, while John Stones has not featured since picking up a hamstring issue on his first competitive start for the club back in September.

It has been a frustrating few days for Cristian Chivu and his squad, who fell to that Brugge defeat, leaving them with zero points after two matches in the competition.

Stones Absence Adds to City's Defensive Worries

The news that Stones remains unavailable is a particular blow for City, given his importance to the back line. The England international has not played since his hamstring problem in September, and his absence leaves Maresca short of experienced options at centre-back.

Stones' injury is part of a wider trend that has seen several high-profile players forced off in recent weeks, and City's medical staff will be working hard to ensure he is not rushed back too soon. With a busy fixture schedule ahead, including domestic and European commitments, Maresca will need to manage his squad carefully.

Meanwhile, Chelsea captain Reece James is set to miss three months of action after undergoing knee surgery. The defender, 26, was injured in training before Chelsea's 5-1 win over Bournemouth last weekend, and the decision was taken for him to have surgery. James is now undergoing rehabilitation with Chelsea's medical staff, with no time-frame given for his return.

Chelsea next travel to Everton in the Premier League before hosting London rivals Tottenham and Manchester United in a difficult run of fixtures. A trip to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup is sandwiched between those two home matches.

James has suffered multiple injuries over the past few seasons, causing him to miss several international tournaments with England since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. His injury record improved significantly last season, allowing him to play a prominent role in England's World Cup campaign, during which they reached the semi-finals before winning the bronze medal match. James was among the players to withdraw from England duty during the most recent international break. The next international break begins at the start of November, when England are scheduled to face Croatia at Wembley Stadium.

Manager Xabi Alonso, who has converted James into a full-time midfielder, denied the injury was going to force them into transfer market activity.

City Fans Urged to Bring Bananas as Maresca Embraces Defiance

Amid the injury concerns, Maresca has called on Manchester City fans to bring inflatable bananas to help inspire the team against Ipswich. Supporters packed the away end at Liverpool with the novelty items as a nod to the club's history last weekend.

Blow-up bananas became popular among City fans in the 1980s and 1990s when they spent time in the second and third tiers, and have been revived in reaction to the threat of being sanctioned with relegation and to show there is plenty to reflect on before the 2008 takeover.

"Very nice," Maresca said of the inflatables. "I didn't know the history behind the banana. I hope tomorrow I can see many bananas in the stadium. I think it creates a nice environment for the fans and for everyone that is in the stadium. I have four kids, they already asked me [for bananas], but tomorrow they're going to be at the stadium and we'll see."

It comes after Maresca dropped points for the first time as City manager, losing 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

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