Manchester City look to have suffered a major injury blow during their FA Cup showdown with Arsenal after centre-back John Stones was forced off with a nasty-looking hamstring scare.
Stones, 28, has become increasingly important to Pep Guardiola and his team since the World Cup, as shown by him playing 90 minutes in eight of their last nine Premier League games. He was sorely missed during their Manchester derby reverse against Manchester United this month.
Named in the starting line-up against the Gunners on Friday night, meanwhile, the England international was taken off before half-time after clutching his hamstring. Stones was fortunately able to walk off the pitch, but on first viewing it did not look good for Guardiola and the former Everton man was in visible pain.
READ MORE: Keane aims one-liner at Guardiola
Amid their ongoing fight for Premier League supremacy this season, City and the table-topping Gunners were pitted against each other in the fourth round of the FA Cup. It gave the two main title contenders a chance to lay a glove on one another before two top-flight meetings to come.
But while it was goalless at the break, there was worrying news for Guardiola after Stones went down while stretching for the ball. He did eventually get to his feet, though, to be replaced by Aymeric Laporte who took his place alongside Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake.
With games continuing to come thick and fast in three competitions, City do not have too many concerns on the treatment table, as things stand, especially now Phil Foden is on the road to recovery. City have nine days before their next match, which comes against Tottenham in the Premier League next Sunday.
Stones nursed a hamstring problem earlier in the campaign. He has played 17 games for City this season.
Win a pair of tickets to the Premier League or Women's Super League match of your choosing! Enter below. CLICK HERE >>>
MORE TO READ:
