Foden, Rodri and Kovacic - Man City injury news and return dates ahead of Premier League opener

All of the latest City injury news wrapped up ahead of City's trip to Wolves next weekend

Man City midfielder Phil Foden(Image: 2025 Getty Images)

Manchester City are now just six days away from their opening Premier League fixture of the 2025/26 season.

Pep Guardiola's side travel to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday evening looking to get their title challenge off to a winning start in the West Midlands.

City finished pre-season with a 3-0 win over sister club Palermo in Sicily, with a brace from new signing Tijjani Reijnders and an Erling Haaland strike sealing a comfortable win at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.

But a number of players missed the trip to Italy and City have some fitness concerns heading into the start of the new season.

Here is a round-up of the latest injury situation.

Phil Foden

Injury: Ankle

Foden missed the trip to Palermo with an ankle knock and Guardiola has revealed he is in a race against time to be fit for the trip to Wolves.

"He has a problem in his ankle and that’s why we didn’t take a risk," the City boss said. "I don’t know [if he will play against Wolves]. It's just a knock - it was painful but he will be ready when he is ready."

Possible return date: Wolves (a) - Saturday, August 16

Rodri

Injury: Groin

Last year's Ballon d'Or winner missed the majority of last season with a knee injury. He returned for the Club World Cup but picked up a groin injury which Guardiola fears will keep him out of action until after the September international break.

"He is getting better, but he had a big [groin] injury in the last game [of the CWC] vs Al-Hilal," Guardiola said.

"He has trained better in the last few days. Hopefully, after the international break, he will be really fit. Hopefully, in these games, he can play some minutes, but what is important is that he doesn't have pain because we don't want Rodri coming back injured.

"We will try desperately to avoid that... He has been training the last two sessions with us, and that's good."

Possible return date: Manchester United (h) - Sunday, September 14

Mateo Kovacic

Injury: Achilles

Kovacic missed the FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace in May and hasn't played for City since. An Achilles injury is feared to keep him sidelined for another two months.

"He had an injury and missed the cup final," Guardiola said. "He thought rest would help, but it didn't. Pain and swelling appeared concerning the heel tendon."

Estimated return date: Unknown

Claudio Echeverri

Injury: Ankle

The Argentinian playmaker missed the trip to Palermo with an ankle issue.

Estimated return date: Wolves (a) - Saturday, August 16

Josko Gvardiol

Injury: Unknown

The Croatian international defender missed the trip to Palermo although it is unknown what injury he is struggling with. Guardiola should give clarity on his situation in his pre-match press conference next week.

Estimated return date: Wolves (a) - Saturday, August 16