Stones thought of retiring amid injury nightmare

MANCHESTER City and England defender John Stones revealed he briefly considered retiring amid his injury nightmare last season.

- By JONATHAN VEAL

The 31-year-old’s 2024/25 campaign was decimated by foot and hamstring injuries, which saw him make just 24 appearances for club and country and none after February.

He is back fit again this season and looks set to make his first appearance under England boss Thomas Tuchel in the upcoming games against Wales and Latvia.

“Last season was tough for me, to the point where I thought about stopping,” Stones said. “I didn’t want to do it.

“I had had enough of being so professional and trying to do everything right in my power, to then keep breaking down and not having the answers.

“It was a very difficult place to be in.