Manchester City centre back Aymeric Laporte has been ruled out of action for the reminder of the year after picking up a foot injury, Pep Guardiola has revealed. The 25-year-old Frenchman is not expected back in action for the Citizens until, at least, January 2020.
Following his record transfer from Athletic Club in 2018, Laporte has forged a formidable partnership with Nicolas Otamendi in the heart of defence for the Etihad outfit. The defender was instrumental for the Citizens in last season's success story of winning four domestic trophies and was only second to Bernardo Silva in terms of players to have made the most appearances.
He has already picked up from where he left things in the ongoing campaign although his spell will be stalled a bit as a result of an injury. Against Brighton in August, the Frenchman picked up a knock following a challenge with defender Adam Webster. The fears of Citizens were subsequently confirmed with further examination by the medics revealing that he had suffered a cartilage and lateral meniscus injury,
Ahead of this Saturday's trip to Norwich City, Pep Guardiola confirmed that the former Athletic Club star is ruled out of action for a lengthy period. The Spanish manager revealed that the return date of the center back falls between January and February of the new year.
"[Laporte's return] It will be long – five or six months, January or February maybe – next year for sure," he said as per BBC.
Laporte's injury rather presents a slippery situation for the Pep's side who are a bit short-handed in the defensive department. Should either of Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones pick an injury, the times ahead could be trying for the Premier League's reigning champions.
