Injuries wreaked havoc on Manchester City’s campaign last season and the problems are surfacing once more just three matches into the new season. The Citizens have endured consecutive defeats leading into the international break and find themselves wallowing in the lower half of the table with three points from nine.
When Premier League action returns, City confront a Manchester derby before a Champions League clash against Napoli and a top-flight trip to Arsenal. It’s a pivotal week and the Citizens could be missing several key defenders.
Here’s the latest injury update…
John Stones
Injury: Muscle
The 31-year-old has featured in all three City fixtures so far this season and completed the entire 90 minutes at Brighton before linking up with England.
However, Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel revealed he was reluctant to gamble with the centre-back in World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.
“Unfortunately, John Stones [has] just left,” Tuchel confirmed on Friday. “He came with minor muscle issues to camp and didn’t progress the way we thought and hoped he would so he left camp this morning because we will not take the risk against Andorra and also unfortunately against Serbia.”
A City statement confirmed Stones had withdrawn from the squad as a “precautionary measure” but it remains uncertain whether he will be available to face United.
Potential return date: Manchester United (H) Sunday, September 14.
Abdukodir Khusanov
Injury: Calf
Khusanov is in a race against time to be ready for the derby after withdrawing from the Uzbekistan squad due to a calf injury sustained during City’s victory over Brighton.
The 21-year-old was forced off towards the end of the Blues’ triumph on the south coast, with subsequent examinations confirming he has suffered a minor injury that could sideline him for a fortnight.
A statement from the Uzbekistan FA revealed: “Uzbekistan national team defender Abdukodir Khusanov felt unwell yesterday during Manchester City’s match against Brighton. After tests, it was revealed that our player has a minor injury to his left calf muscle.
“According to preliminary findings, the recovery period is expected to be two weeks. It was announced that Khusanov will not be able to participate in the CAFA Nations Cup tournament, according to doctors’ recommendations.”
Potential return date: Manchester United (H) Sunday, September 14.
Rico Lewis
Injury: Unknown
The defender withdrew from the England Under-21 squad with an undisclosed injury. City confirmed the full back will undergo assessment at the CFA before the derby.
Potential return date: Manchester United (H) Sunday, September 14.
Rayan Cherki
Injury: Thigh
The France international faces two months on the sidelines after sustaining a thigh injury. This could see Cherki miss 10 fixtures, with the forward already absent for the Brighton defeat last time out.
Potential return date: Aston Villa (A), October 26.
Rayan Ait-Nouri
Injury: Ankle
Ait-Nouri, the £31million summer signing from Wolves, suffered an ankle injury during his home debut against Tottenham. Despite playing against Brighton, he did not join up with the Algeria squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Botswana and Guinea.
Potential return date: Manchester United on Sunday, September 14
Phil Foden
Injury: Fitness
The midfielder missed the Brighton game due to injury. After missing the final friendly of the summer with an ankle injury, he was left out of the squad for the Premier League opener at Wolves.
Although he made a brief appearance in the Spurs match, he missed Brighton as he was described as ‘not fully fit’. The 25 year old was also left out of the England squad for the upcoming September games and is now working hard to regain his fitness and form.
Potential return date: Sunday, September 14
Nico O’Reilly
Injury: Unknown
O’Reilly withdrew from the England Under-21 squad due to an undisclosed injury. City announced that the academy graduate will be assessed at the CFA ahead of the derby.
Potential return date: Sunday, September 14
Savinho
Injury: Unknown
Savinho has been absent all season due to an unspecified problem. Despite interest from Tottenham, City have ruled out an exit and expect the player to return after the international break.
Potential return date: Sunday, September 14
Josko Gvardiol
Injury: Unknown
Gvardiol has yet to make an appearance in a matchday squad this season. The Croatian has resumed light training but is not yet deemed fit enough to play.
Potential return date: Manchester United (H) Sunday, September 14
Mateo Kovacic
Injury: Achilles
The midfielder may be sidelined until October due to the Achilles injury for which he underwent surgery this summer. Kovacic had the operation shortly after the season ended, missing the Club World Cup and the rest of pre-season with the hope of being fit around the start of the new campaign.
However, he is now expected to be out until at least the October international break.
Potential return date: Everton (H), October 18