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Man City handed major Nathan Ake injury concern ahead of Brentford clash

Injury blow: Man City defender stretchered off in tears on international duty
© Imago
Manchester City defender Nathan Ake is a major doubt for Saturday's Premier League clash with Brentford after he was forced off on a stretcher while playing for the Netherlands on Tuesday.

Manchester City's Nathan Ake has emerged as a major doubt for Saturday's Premier League clash with Brentford after he was forced off on a stretcher while playing for the Netherlands on Tuesday night.

The 29-year-old defender was handed his 53rd international cap for the Orangje, who played out a 2-2 draw with Germany at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.

However, Ake's evening in Amsterdam was cut short when he pulled up with what appeared to be a serious muscle injury in the 41st minute, after attempting to control the ball with his outstretched left foot.

Ake initially attempted to get back to his feet, before needing Dutch teammate Cody Gakpo to help lower him back onto the pitch.

The left-sided defender was visibly in distress and later seen in tears as he was forced off on the stroke of half time on a stretcher.

Shortly after Ake was replaced by Jurrien Timber, the Netherlands fell behind as Joshua Kimmich fired Germany into a 2-1 half-time lead.

However, Ronald Koeman's side restored parity and ultimately claimed a share of the spoils, courtesy of Denzel Dumfries's close-range finish five minutes after the interval.

Netherlands' Nathan Ake sustains an injury on September 10, 2024© Imago

Man City's Ake facing spell on the sidelines?

Ake may have only made one substitute appearance and played just three minutes of Premier League football for Man City since the beginning of the season, but his injury comes as a blow for Pep Guardiola's side.

Now that the international break is over for most nations, Guardiola's relatively small squad will turn their attention to a busy fixture schedule across multiple competitions, starting off with Saturday's Premier League meeting with Brentford at the Etihad Stadium - a game that Ake will presumably miss.

Man City's No.6 could also be sidelined for their opening Champions League fixture at home to Inter Milan on September 18, as well as a Premier League showdown with title rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium four days later.

The Citizens conclude the month of September with an EFL Cup third-round tie at home to Watford and a Premier League trip to Newcastle United, before beginning October with a Champions League away game against Slovan Bratislava.

In the expected absence of Ake, Josko Gvardiol is expected to continue on the left side of City's back four, while Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji and John Stones all compete for starts at centre-back.

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates after the match on August 31, 2024
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City4400113812
2Arsenal431061510
3Newcastle UnitedNewcastle431063310
4Liverpool43017169
5Aston Villa43017619
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton42206248
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest42204228
8Chelsea42118537
9Brentford42026606
10Manchester UnitedMan Utd42025506
11Bournemouth41215505
12Fulham41214405
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs41126424
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham411256-14
15Leicester CityLeicester402257-22
16Crystal Palace402247-32
17Ipswich TownIpswich402227-52
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves4013411-71
19Southampton400418-70
20Everton4004413-90


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