SM
Newcastle vs. West Ham: 10 hrs 41 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

John Stones unhappy with lack of game time

:Headline: John Stones unhappy with lack of game time: ID:321827: from db_amp
Manchester City defender John Stones admits that he has found it "difficult" to have fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City defender John Stones has admitted that it has been "difficult" to have lost his place in the starting lineup at the Etihad Stadium.

The 23-year-old was a fixture of Pep Guardiola's side in the opening months of the season, starting 16 of their first 18 games across all competitions, but an injury in November saw him lose his place and he has so far been unable to win it back.

Stones has not started a Premier League game since January 20 following the arrival of Aymeric Laporte and return to fitness of Vincent Kompany, but he insists that he is trying to stay positive as he gears up for England's friendly with Italy on Tuesday night.

"I've had a lot of time out to be fair. It's difficult. Every player wants to play week in, week out but I've had games here and there. I've been fighting and that's all you can do: train hard, keep working hard and when your chance comes you've got to take it and that's what I've done, stayed positive," he told reporters.

"I've had the players' backing and the manager's backing, it's one of those things where the team's winning games and playing well and you can't get back in just like that. It's tough, but I've got my first medal so I can't complain.

"Gareth [Southgate] has picked me this time and I've just got to take my chance when I get out on the pitch. Hopefully on Tuesday we can go again. I was enjoying my football and I've said many times when you are enjoying it you have nothing to worry about. I felt sharp and back to myself (against Holland) and I want to build on that."

Stones has made 27 appearances for Man City across all competitions this season, scoring three goals.

amp_article__321827 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2018-03-27 17:58:53:
html db last update - 2018-03-27 17:58:53 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about John Stones

Click here for more stories about Manchester City

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .