Manchester City are set to welcome back several senior stars for the Premier League clash with Tottenham this evening.
But they have been dealt a significant blow with the news that Mateo Kovacic is set for a spell on the sidelines. The midfielder, an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s plans given the season-ending injury to Rodri, will be missing for up to month having picked up a problem while on international duty with Croatia.
That is a major dent in Guardiola’s plans but the news is positive on the majority of the other City players who have been sidelined in recent weeks. Here’s the injury latest.
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Mateo Kovacic
Injury: Unknown
What we know: Guardiola said Kovacic returned from Nations League duty with Croatia carrying an injury that will keep him out for ‘maybe a month’. It is a sizeable blow for City given the continued enforced absence of Rodri
Potential return date: Aston Villa (A) December 21
Phil Foden
Injury: Fitness issues
What we know: Foden was one of several players to withdraw from the England squad, MEN Sport understands it was simply a fitness issue rather than anything more serious and he is back training this week.
Potential return date: Tottenham (H) November 23
Matheus Nunes
Injury: Fitness issues
What we know: Nunes withdrew from the Portugal squad having featured regularly on the left in recent weeks for City. MEN Sport understands his absence was fitness related rather than anything more concerning and he was back training this week.
Potential return date: Tottenham (H) November 23
Jeremy Doku
Injury: Unknown
What we know: Doku missed the defeat at Brighton with what is understood to be a fresh injury. City will hope it is not a serious problem and that he can recover sooner rather than later.
Potential return date: Tottenham (H) November 23
Nathan Ake
Injury: Fitness issues
What we know: The defender was an unused sub at Brighton having reported a fitness issue. He was not in the Netherlands squad for their international fixtures but should be fit to return against Spurs.
Potential return date: Tottenham (H) November 23
Manuel Akanji
Injury: Abductor
What we know: Similar to Ake, the Switzerland international was not fit enough to feature at Brighton and remained on the bench. Another who will benefit from a two week break having pulled out of his national team squad with what was described as an abductor issue. Has trained this week.
Potential return date: Tottenham (H) November 23
John Stones
Injury: Foot
What we know: Stones is sidelined with a plantar fasciitis foot issue. He was left out of the England squad but looks in line to return for City on Saturday.
Potential return date: Tottenham (H) November 23
Ruben Dias
Injury: Muscular
What we know: Dias was replaced at half time in the cup tie at Spurs and it’s hopeful he will return after the international break. However, he was not among those pictured in training this week and the weekend could come too soon.
Potential return date: Tottenham (H) November 23
Jack Grealish
Injury: Unknown
What we know: The winger picked up an injury in training ahead of the Champions League tie with Sparta Prague and then pulled out of the England squad having initially surprisingly been selected. But he is back in training this week and could be recalled to the squad for the first time in six matches.
Potential return date: Tottenham (H) November 23
Rodri
Injury: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
What we know: Rodri has sustained a serious knee injury and will be out until the middle of next year. He has spoken of his desire to play again this season, possibly in the Club World Cup.
Potential return date: June 2025
Oscar Bobb
Injury: Fractured Leg
What we know: The Norwegian suffered his leg break in August and he is now in a race against the clock to come back before the end of the year. The hope is that Bobb will play some part over the festive period.
Potential return date: December
