England's manager defends picking John Stones despite injury during the game against Belgium, where he was substituted early due to an adductor problem.

The Big Picture

Stones faces a fitness battle ahead of Manchester City's important match against Arsenal after missing a chunk of the season due to injuries, raising concerns about his availability for crucial games.

By the Numbers
  • Stones missed the beginning of the season with a hip injury and has only played in half of City's Premier League games this season.
  • Stones started England's games at the 2022 World Cup and 2020 Euros but has had intermittent appearances for City this season.
State of Play
  • Stones' injury poses a challenge for both England and Manchester City in critical upcoming matches.
  • His intermittent playing time for City adds uncertainty to his fitness and availability for key fixtures ahead.
Bottom Line

Stones' injury raises doubts about his fitness for upcoming crucial matches, highlighting the challenge faced by both England and Manchester City in managing his playing time and fitness effectively.