Manchester City’s current injury situation might affect the lineup selection as the club look to extend their impressive winning run when they return to Premier League action on New Year’s Day with a home fixture against Sunderland.
Pep Guardiola’s side are chasing a ninth consecutive victory in all competitions, a sequence that has helped keep them firmly in the title conversation as the season approaches its midpoint.
City go into the match on the back of a narrow but valuable 2-1 success over Nottingham Forest, a result that underlined their resilience as well as their quality.
That win has left the Sky Blues second in the Premier League standings, two points adrift of leaders Arsenal, ensuring that there is little margin for error as the festive schedule continues to pile on pressure.
While Guardiola will be pleased with his team’s overall form, the City manager is once again having to juggle his options because of injuries to several key players.
With Sunderland enjoying an impressive campaign of their own and currently sitting seventh in the table, City know they will need both sharpness and depth to maintain their momentum.
Here is a full look at Manchester City’s current injury situation, along with the latest updates on potential return dates ahead of the clash with Sunderland.
Guardiola managing absentees as City chase consistency
One of the biggest challenges for Guardiola during this phase of the season has been navigating injuries while maintaining City’s high standards.
Although the squad is renowned for its depth, the absence of several first-team players has forced tactical adjustments and increased workloads for others.
Oscar Bobb is among those unavailable, with the young attacker still sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury earlier this month against Brentford.
Bobb had been enjoying increased involvement before the setback, offering creativity and energy in wide areas.
However, the club have yet to put a clear timeline on his recovery, and his return date remains uncertain. For now, Guardiola will continue to rely on alternative attacking options as Bobb focuses on rehabilitation.
Jeremy Doku’s situation is slightly more encouraging. The Belgium international has missed City’s last four matches because of a leg problem, depriving the team of his explosive pace and direct dribbling.
Doku’s ability to stretch defences has been a valuable weapon this season, particularly against compact sides. While he is still considered a major doubt, there is hope within the club that he could be fit enough to feature against Sunderland on January 1.
A late decision is expected, with Guardiola likely to weigh the risks carefully given the intensity of the upcoming fixtures.
In defence, John Stones continues to be a notable absentee. The England centre-back has not played in City’s last six matches due to a leg injury, leaving Guardiola to reshuffle his defensive line.
Stones’ calmness in possession and tactical intelligence are key components of City’s build-up play, and his absence has been felt in both defensive solidity and midfield transitions.
He is set to miss the Sunderland match, but there is optimism that he could return in time for the high-profile encounter against Chelsea on January 4.
Mateo Kovacic is also unavailable, with the Croatian midfielder still recovering from an ankle and heel issue. Unlike some of the other injuries, this one appears to be more long-term.
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Kovacic is not expected to be back on the pitch until the latter stages of the 2025–26 campaign, a significant blow for a player who brings experience and composure to City’s midfield rotation.
His absence places additional responsibility on Guardiola’s remaining midfield options as the season progresses.
Despite the Manchester City’s current injury situation, Pep Guardiola’s side will approach the Sunderland fixture with confidence, knowing that their recent performances have kept them firmly on track in the title race.
Winning nine games in a row across all competitions would further underline their credentials and keep the pressure on Arsenal at the top of the table.
