(Credit: Imago)

Evan Shaw

Sun 8 March 2026 13:00, UK

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John Stones played out an England audition with Thomas Tuchel in attendance for Manchester City’s 3-1 win away at Newcastle United on Saturday.

The 31-year-old has endured another difficult season in terms of his injury record, as he started just his second game since the end of November at St James’ Park.

The centre-back’s lack of football has prompted questions as to whether he could be left out of England’s squad for this summer’s World Cup, with Tuchel having several options available to him at the heart of the backline.

Stones played 90 minutes of a crucial victory for City, as a Savinho goal and an Omar Marmoush brace saw them battle back from an early deficit to book their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

City’s latest victory saw several of their squad players given the chance to impress, with Stones among multiple England hopefuls who Tuchel was present to see.

John Stones’ audition clear as Henry Winter speaks out

Stones has always been a classy operator, but the recent concerns that have emerged over his England hopes are more to do with his injury issues than anything he has done on the pitch.

With that in mind, it was extremely positive from his perspective to have seemingly come through the 90 minutes unscathed during Saturday’s cup tie, and he also showed plenty out on the pitch that would have satisfied Tuchel, who was in attendance at Saturday’s game according to the Daily Mail.

The former Everton defender was typically cultured on the ball, as he completed 90 per cent of his passes, but he also made some crucial interventions within his seven defensive contributions.

Stones failed to lose a single duel during the game, while also showing his credentials in the air with five headed clearances.

Tuchel will surely have been left in no doubt that Stones must be on the plane to North America this summer after what he saw from the veteran, and Henry Winter has since backed up that claim.

The journalist is one of the most reliable sources when it comes to coverage of the England team, and he took to his X account after the game to share that Stones is also seen as a “good tourist” by the coaching staff, and is a popular member of the England camp.

Throw in the fact that he has also proven himself once again to still be a very capable defender, and any doubts regarding his place in Tuchel’s 26-man squad have surely now been erased.

Is there any chance of Man City extending Stones’ contract?

Football Insider recently revealed that it will be “difficult” for Everton to sign Stones if he leaves Man City this summer, due to the wages that he would likely demand.

Interest is growing in the veteran, who is out of contract at the end of the season, with the likes of Bayern Munich also heavily linked with a move for him.

Stones has been an excellent servant over the years at the Etihad Stadium, but it has become clear in recent weeks that there is almost no chance of a new deal being put on the table for him.

Bernardo Silva is also expected to leave on a free transfer this summer, as the Citizens continue to regenerate their group.

Stones’ long-term future at City is looking bleak at this stage, and it is becoming increasingly clear that he will be set for a new challenge next season, despite his display against Newcastle.