Man City boss Pep Guardiola takes swipe as he confirms Nathan Ake injury extent

Pep Guardiola rued another international break as he confirmed Nathan Ake could be out for over a month.

The Manchester City manager is not expecting the defender to be available for selection again until after the next international break after picking up a hamstring duty with Netherlands. Ake suffered discomfort in the UEFA Nations League match with Germany and was immediately substituted with what looked to be a painful injury that subsequent tests in Manchester have confirmed is a considerable one.

Guardiola never enjoys the loss of control that comes when clubs allow their players to go and represent their national teams, and was particularly stinging of Ake's situation as he suggested that it has happened regularly. "He's injured. I think it will be until the next international break.

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"We are unlucky with Nathan and the national team. Every time he goes there he comes back injured."

City were boosted over the international break by the return to training of Phil Foden and Savinho, while Rodri, Jack Grealish and John Stones were among the players to increase their rhythm with minutes for their national teams. The Blues will need all of their squad as they embark on a run of seven games in the next three weeks that include starts in the Champions League and Carabao Cup.

"The season starts this weekend. Before was pre-season, one game a week and we had time to train and remember things," he said. "Now the recovery is right now. We will see how we behave, how the players recover."

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