Manchester City’s relentless schedule has been matched by a growing list of fitness concerns, with Pep Guardiola forced to juggle momentum, rotation and recovery as the season approaches a crucial festive stretch.
Even after a convincing Premier League victory away at Crystal Palace, the Cityzens were left counting the cost, having gone into the match without one of their most explosive attacking options.
Jeremy Doku’s absence from the 3-0 win at Selhurst Park was confirmed shortly before kick-off, with the Belgian winger sidelined by a leg problem.
His unavailability added to a list of notable injuries that continues to test the depth of Guardiola’s squad ahead of a Carabao Cup tie against Brentford and the final league fixture before Christmas.
City, however, showed little sign of vulnerability on Sunday. Erling Haaland struck twice and Phil Foden added a third as Guardiola’s side delivered a ruthless display in south London.
The result proved significant in the title race too, trimming Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table back to two points after the Gunners’ dramatic late win over Wolves the night before.
With West Ham due at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, attention now turns to who will be available as City look to maintain pressure domestically while balancing cup commitments.
Here is the Man City injury update, as Guardiola and his staff manage both short-term absences and longer-term rehabilitation.
Jeremy Doku – Leg injury
Doku’s omission was a reminder that even a squad as richly stocked as City’s can feel the impact of injuries, particularly when they affect players who offer a unique skill set.
Since arriving in Manchester, the winger has become a key outlet with his direct running and ability to destabilise defences, attributes that are not easily replicated.
Guardiola acknowledged the setback before the Palace match but remained calm in his assessment of the situation.
“We will miss his quality but we have another – other players play with their own quality,” he said when asked about Doku’s absence at Selhurst Park.
“During the season we have setbacks with injuries.”
Yet the concern for City supporters is less about one game and more about accumulation. Doku is unlikely to feature against Brentford in midweek, and with little clarity over the severity of his leg issue, his return date remains uncertain.
As the fixtures pile up, Guardiola may need to lean heavily on rotation and tactical flexibility to navigate this period.
Rodri – Hamstring injury
Rodri’s situation remains one of the most closely monitored inside the Etihad. The Spanish midfielder, so often the heartbeat of City’s side, is again on the sidelines, this time with a hamstring problem.
It comes after a difficult period marked by attempts to return from a long-term ACL injury, only for further setbacks to interrupt his rhythm.
Guardiola has been keen to stress that patience is essential. “It was a muscular injury against Brentford, in a high-tendon muscular hamstring area. And he’s a bit more careful,” he explained.
“And that will happen. Previous ones, when he stepped back, we had to be more cautious and have no more prevention but make sure it is safe.
“So it’s simple. But it’s not a step back. So the process of recovery is doing well. He start to make training sessions on the pitch already. So hopefully in a few weeks, it can start.”
Those comments suggest cautious optimism rather than immediate relief. Rodri is still some distance from first-team contention, with a potential return pencilled in around late December or January.
Until then, Guardiola must continue to reconfigure his midfield, leaning on versatility rather than a like-for-like replacement.
Mateo Kovacic – Ankle injury
Mateo Kovacic’s absence adds another layer of complexity. The Croatia international has only a few appearances this season after undergoing Achilles surgery in the summer, and his recovery has been slower than initially hoped.
An ongoing ankle issue, complicated by calcification, means his return is not expected for several months.
Guardiola offered a frank update on the situation, saying: “He will be out for a while. He still has a problem with the ankle, a little calcification still there. We’ll wait on him for the last part of the season.”
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That timeline points towards a February comeback at the earliest, ruling Kovacic out of the busy winter period entirely.
His absence reduces Guardiola’s options in central areas, particularly when managing minutes for players who have already logged heavy workloads.
John Stones – Thigh injury
At the back, there is slightly more encouraging news regarding John Stones. The England defender has been nursing a thigh injury but is not expected to be sidelined for an extended spell. City’s coaching staff remain hopeful that his return could come sooner rather than later.
Assistant coach Kolo Toure provided insight into Stones’ condition last week. “I think it was his thigh that he had a problem with,” he said.
“It wasn’t something too big, I think he’ll be back soon. Rodri is training really well and he looks sharper and sharper every day we see him.”
While Stones’ potential return date is still officially unknown, the tone suggests City are confident the issue is minor.
His availability would be timely, given the physical demands of the upcoming fixtures and the need for experience at the heart of defence.
This is the latest Man City injury update as the Sky Blues prepare for Brentford in the Carabao Cup. Guardiola faces familiar decisions: whether to rest key players, how much risk to take with those close to fitness, and how to maintain momentum without overexposing his squad.