After making three successive starts for Manchester City, John Stones headed off to St George‘s as part of the England squad.
But after just a few days, Thomas Tuchel has revealed that the defender has had to leave camp due to ’muscle issues,’ which he had arrived with following the game against Brighton.
BREAKING: John Stones has left the England camp with a muscle problem.
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) September 5, 2025
Thomas Tuchel: "He came with minor muscle issues in camp and he hasn’t progressed how we hoped. We won't take the risk..." [via @Jack_Gaughan]
The 31-year-old had been hoping to take part in the Three Lions’ World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia but will now have to watch on from home as he has left camp to try to recover.
He hasn't featured for England since last October and his first camp under new boss Thomas Tuchel has come to a very premature end.
The former Everton defender has struggled for fitness since Man City's treble winning season and missed the last few months of last season after picking up a thigh injury against Real Madrid in the Champions League playoff round.
Manchester City have released their own statement on Stones and have downplayed the seriousness of the injury and have suggested it to be a precaution rather than any longer term problem.
John Stones has withdrawn from the England squad as a precautionary measure ⤵️
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 5, 2025
City fans will be hoping that the defender will be ready for their next couple of league games which consists of a Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium and a trip to the Emirates to face Arsenal.
Having let Manuel Akanji and Vitor Reis both leave on loan this summer, Pep Guardiola will be relying on Abdukodir Khusanov to step up if Stones was to face a longer period away from the pitch than City are suggesting at the moment.
