Huge blow as Pep confirms Ake will be out a 'long time'

CITY'S form may be turning a corner but their injury issues show no sign of improvement as Nathan Ake is the latest player to face a 'long' spell on the sidelines.

- By JOE BRAY

City have had their four central defenders - Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, John Stones and Nathan Ake - available at the same time for just one game all season.

And that clash against Real Madrid saw Akanji withdrawn at half-time with an injury that required surgery and will keep him out for 'two to three months'.