Manchester City head into their Premier League clash with Fulham with renewed optimism after receiving encouraging updates on two key defenders.
Pep Guardiola’s squad has been stretched by injuries for much of the campaign, yet the Cityzens are slowly beginning to look healthier at a crucial stage of the season.
The visit of Marco Silva’s side offers City an opportunity to build momentum, and the manager now has more options than he feared earlier in the week.
Pep Guardiola confirms major injury update
The most significant development concerns Abdukodir Khusanov, who appeared in discomfort during the recent meeting with Liverpool and was initially thought to have suffered a concussion.
Further medical checks have shown that the problem was not as serious as first believed, and the centre-back is cleared to feature if selected. His availability is a welcome relief given the shortage of senior defenders in recent months.
Equally positive is the return of John Stones. The England international has not been seen in competitive action since November after struggling with a persistent thigh issue.
Guardiola confirmed that the long rehabilitation period is finally over and that the defender has rejoined full training with the group. Speaking ahead of the Fulham match, Guardiola said: “John (Stones) is back, fit I would say.”
Although Stones is now medically ready, it would be a surprise to see him thrown straight into the starting side after such a lengthy absence.
Guardiola is usually cautious with players returning from muscle injuries, and a place on the bench appears the most realistic scenario for the weekend.
Khusanov, on the other hand, will hope to regain the position he had begun to make his own before the scare at Anfield.
City supporters are also keeping an eye on the progress of Savinho and Jeremy Doku. The Brazilian and Belgian wide men are close to full fitness after their respective setbacks, but the Fulham game is thought to arrive a little too early for either to be risked.
Mateo Kovacic, meanwhile, continues to work his way back and there is still no firm timetable for his comeback.
Possible Line-up and Tactical Picture
With Josko Gvardiol still sidelined, the identity of Khusanov’s partner in central defence remains uncertain.
Ruben Dias offers experience and leadership, while summer arrival Marc Guehi provides composure on the ball.
Either could be entrusted with marshalling the back line against a Fulham attack that has caused problems for several top sides this term.
Beyond the defensive selections, Guardiola faces a number of decisions about the overall shape of his team.
In recent weeks City have often operated with a 4-1-4-1 system designed to protect the back four and allow the creative midfielders to roam.
Against Liverpool, however, the coach experimented with a more conventional 4-3-3, a change that produced moments of promise but also left the side exposed at times.
If Guardiola returns to his preferred structure, January signing Nico Gonzalez could be asked to anchor the midfield.
The Spaniard has been eased into life in England but is seen as a long-term successor to Rodri in the holding role.
Rodri himself has endured an inconsistent season fitness-wise, and after completing the full match last weekend the manager may choose to rotate in order to preserve him for the busy run ahead.
Bernardo Silva is another whose workload will be carefully monitored. The Portuguese playmaker only recently recovered from a knock yet was required to play the entire game against Liverpool.
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With fixtures arriving thick and fast, Guardiola is expected to rest him, allowing fresher legs to come into the engine room.
Pahil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders were both unused last time out and are strong candidates to return to the starting XI, providing energy and creativity between the lines.
Further forward, there is little doubt about the identity of the central striker. Erling Haaland remains City’s main goal threat and will lead the attack once more.
The Norwegian has not always received the service he thrives on, but his record against mid-table opponents is formidable and Guardiola will hope this fixture can reignite his scoring rhythm.
On the wings, Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki are expected to support Haaland. Semenyo has impressed with his direct running since joining the club, while Cherki offers subtlety and imagination in tight spaces.
Their combination of pace and technique could be vital in breaking down a Fulham side likely to defend in numbers and look for chances on the counter-attack.
Man City XI (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Ait-Nouri, Guehi, Khusanov, Nunes; Gonzalez; Reijnders, Foden, Cherki, Semenyo; Haaland
Injured: Doku, Gvardiol, Savinho, Kovacic
