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Stones, Ake, Vardy - 11 players could miss Man City vs Leicester

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26:  Nathan Ake of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Everton FC at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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As many as nine Manchester City players could be unavailable for the Premier League trip to Leicester on Sunday.

City had just 10 fully-fit outfield players for the Boxing Day draw with Everton, as Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne have been suffering from a virus. Both have trained since, however, and look set to take their place on the coach to the East Midlands.

Nathan Ake was withdrawn late on to add another concern, although defensive colleague Manu Akanji said that he believed the change was precautionary.

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Ederson has missed the last two games with an unknown issue, while John Stones was absent against Everton after his comeback at Aston Villa lasted just 45 minutes before a reoccurrence of a previous problem.

Matheus Nunes has been missing for two games with injury, while Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish did not face Everton due to fitness and illness. Walker looked to train on Friday, however, so could be back in the squad at Leicester.

Rodri, Oscar Bobb and Ruben Dias remain out and definitely won't feature at the King Power Stadium - with Leicester also carrying doubts of their own.

Jamie Vardy missed the Boxing Day trip to Liverpool as a precaution, with Foxes manager Ruud van Nistelrooy saying: “Jamie had a small injury, a couple of knocks over the last week. He wasn’t totally fit for today so we gave him some time to recover. Hopefully he can make it for Sunday. He has a good chance.”

Defender Wout Faes came off at Anfield, and Van Nistelrooy admitted he faces a fight to face City. “That’s an injury as well. He came on at half-time against Wolves and picked up an injury there. He’s doubtful, very doubtful for Sunday," the manager said.