John Stones: Expert issues ‘honest’ verdict after Man City injury news confirmed
Man City defender John Stones could play against Burnley on Saturday as his injury is not “a big worry.”
That is the view of ex-Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about concern over the 27-year-old’s fitness.
On Monday (28 March), the FA announced the centre-half had withdrawn from the Three Lions squad due to injury.
Stones was said to have “felt something in the warm up” prior to England’s 2-1 win over Switzerland on Saturday.
The Cityzens are already without first-choice centre-back Ruben Dias, although the Portugal international is closing in on a return.
Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Turf Moor on Saturday with one point separating themselves and second-placed Liverpool.
When asked how big a blow it would be to lose Stones to injury, Robinson told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs: “I don’t think the John Stones injury is a big worry.
“It was just a bit of tightness in the warm up.
“He was not in the squad last night because there was nothing to gain from it. Gareth Southgate knows what he can or can’t do. For the player’s welfare, he has been sent back to the club. They did not want to risk him getting a more severe injury.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he played at the weekend, in all honesty.
“There was just no value in him being part of a squad with a small injury which potentially could have been made worse.”
In other news, an ex-Fifa official has slammed chiefs for wasting £22m-a-year as Man City controversy analysed.