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By JACK GAUGHAN Published: 06: 37 AEDT, 6 January 2026 | Updated: 06: 49 AEDT, 6 January 2026 27 View comments Josko Gvardiol could struggle to feature again for Manchester City this season after breaking his leg, developments that have intensified the club’s interest in Marc Guehi. The central defender hobbled out of Sunday’s dramatic 1-1 draw with Chelsea and had scans on Monday to ascertain the severity of the problem. Gvardiol has fractured his right tibia and requires surgery, leaving the Croatian facing months on the sidelines – a major blow after Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points across New Year. The injury is likely to impact on the 23-year-old’s fitness ahead of the World Cup in North America this summer, when they face England first up in Dallas. Oscar Bobb suffered a similar injury last season and was missing for five months before Pep Guardiola could consider him for selection – although the Norwegian then had to contend with further setbacks, prolonging his absence. Gvardiol has been a mainstay of Guardiola’s side this season and his partnership with Ruben Dias is the preferred pairing. Josko Gvardiol is facing months on the sidelines after Man City confirmed he has broken his leg Man City have accelerated attempts to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace after injury blows Dias also sustained a muscle issue on Sunday, with City running tests on the severity of that. It has led to Hugo Viana accelerating attempts to land Guehi from Crystal Palace, as the director of football looks to see how much a January deal could cost for the England international. City had originally planned to be one of a handful of Europe’s elite clubs to make pitches to Guehi ahead of the Palace skipper leaving Selhurst Park on a free transfer. Events at the Etihad Stadium have overtaken that, however, with Viana recalling youngster Max Alleyne from a promising loan spell at Watford as cover ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Brighton. Nathan Ake and Abdukodir Khusanov are the only recognised fit centre halves, with John Stones having not featured since the start of December. Teenager Stephen Mfuni has been on the bench in recent weeks but is yet to make a senior debut.
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