John Stones’ first start ends in early exit as injury looms

John Stones made his first start for Inter Milan on Monday but was forced to leave the pitch in the 62nd minute of the Serie A clash that saw the Nerazzurri beat Udinese 5-3. The England centre‑back pulled up while chasing ex‑Watford striker Keinan Davis, prompting an immediate request for substitution.

Debut turned disaster

It was Stones’ fourth appearance for Inter, having come off the bench in each of his three previous games. The defender was replaced by Pavard after he sat down on the turf, rose on his own legs and walked off, covering his face as he left the field.

According to Reuters, the medical staff diagnosed a suspected muscle injury, with Italian reports suggesting the problem lies between the glute and the adductor. No official confirmation has been issued by the club, but the description points to a hamstring issue.

Wider implications for club and country

Stones’ injury history is extensive; he missed a total of 58 games for Manchester City and England over the past two seasons, including multiple foot problems at the start of the 2024/25 campaign and a hamstring setback in February 2025 that kept him out for three months.

Inter count on Calha's return as Serie A restarts on Saturday

Further muscle and thigh troubles saw him sidelined for weeks in September and December, and a calf strain kept him out from March to April. The latest setback could see him miss Inter’s next league fixtures, including the match against Parma on 10 October and the upcoming clash with Roma.

England’s Three Lions will face Spain, Czechia and Croatia from 26 September to 3 October, and Stones’ fitness will be a key factor in manager Tuchel’s squad selection on Friday. Reuters noted that his condition will likely decide whether he joins the England camp.

The Italian report even used the terms DI, Al, Le and Un when describing the medical assessment, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding his recovery timeline.