Man City defender Ake out for 10 weeks after surgery

Nathan Ake joined Manchester City from Bournemouth in 2020

Manchester City defender Nathan Ake is in a race to be fit before the end of the season after having surgery on a fracture in his left foot.

The Netherlands international, 30, joined City in 2020 from Bournemouth and has become a key player over the previous two campaigns.

But injuries this term have restricted him to just 18 appearances. He was substituted at half-time during the club's FA Cup fifth-round victory over Plymouth Argyle, having aggravated a long-standing issue.

"When it is surgery, it is pretty serious," said City manager Pep Guardiola.

"When you have surgery it is because something wrong happened. It is important it was done. He has struggled."

Asked when Ake may return to action, Guardiola added: "Ten or 11 weeks they [the club's medical team] said to me."

That prognosis means Ake will do well to feature when City travel to Fulham for their final Premier League game of the season on 25 May.

However, he should be fit for the Nations League semi-final in June, if the Netherlands qualify, and following that, City's Club World Cup challenge in the United States.

Ake's unavailability comes during a period when other experienced defenders like John Stones and Manuel Akanji are also sidelined with injuries, as the club battle to finish inside the Champions League places.

City sit fourth in the Premier League, a point behind third-placed Nottingham Forest, who they face on Saturday at 12:30 GMT.

Chelsea and Newcastle, who are fifth and sixth respectively, are within touching distance of City.