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Manchester City injury news with John Stones the latest concern for Pep Guardiola's side
Injuries derailed Manchester City's campaign last season and the issues are rearing their head again just three games into the new campaign.
The Blues have suffered back to back defeats heading into the international break and are languishing in the bottom half of the table with three points from nine.
When the Premier League resumes, City face a Manchester derby before a Champions League tie against Napoli and a top flight visit to Arsenal. It's a huge week and the Blues could be without several senior defenders. Here's the latest injury news.
John Stones
Injury: Muscle
The 31-year-old has started all three City games so far this season and played the full 90 minutes at Brighton before meeting up with England.
But Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel said he didn't want to risk the centre-back in World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.
“Unfortunately, John Stones [has] just left,” Tuchel said on Friday. “He came with minor muscle issues to camp and didn’t progress the way we thought and hoped he would so he left camp this morning because we will not take the risk against Andorra and also unfortunately against Serbia.”
A City statement said Stones had pulled out of the squad as a "precautionary measure" but it remains to be seen whether he will be fit to face United.
Potential return date: Manchester United (H) Sunday, September 14
Abdukodir Khusanov
Injury: Calf
Khusanov faces a race to be fit for the derby after pulling out of the Uzbekistan squad with a calf injury picked up in City's win at Brighton.
The 21-year-old came off injured towards the end of the Blues' defeat on the south coast, and tests have revealed he has picked up a minor injury that is set to keep him out for two weeks.
A statement from the Uzbekistan FA said: "Uzbekistan national team defender Abdukodir Khusanov felt unwell yesterday during Manchester City's match against Brighton. After tests, it was revealed that our player has a minor injury to his left calf muscle.
"According to preliminary findings, the recovery period is expected to be two weeks. It was announced that Khusanov will not be able to participate in the CAFA Nations Cup tournament, according to doctors' recommendations."
Potential return date: Manchester United (H) Sunday, September 14
Rico Lewis
Injury: Unknown
The defender pulled out of the England Under-21 squad with an undisclosed injury. City said the full back will be assessed at the CFA ahead of the derby.
Potential return date: Manchester United (H) Sunday, September 14
Rayan Cherki
Injury: Thigh
The France international is sidelined for two months after picking up a thigh injury. It could result in Cherki missing 10 matches with the forward absent for the defeat to Brighton last time out.
Potential return date: Aston Villa (A), October 26
Rayan Ait-Nouri
Injury: Ankle
Ait-Nouri suffered an ankle injury in the early stages of his home debut against Tottenham,
The £31million summer signing from Wolves played against Brighton but did not join up with the Algeria squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Botswana and Guinea.
Potential return date: Manchester United (H) Sunday, September 14
Phil Foden
Injury: Fitness
The midfielder missed the Brighton game with injury. He missed the final friendly of the summer with an ankle injury that saw him out of the squad for the Premier League opener at Wolves.
He was on the bench at home to Spurs and came on for a few minutes, but missed Brighton having been described as 'not fully fit'. The 25-year-old was left out of the England squad for the upcoming September games and he faces a battle to recover his fitness and his form.
Potential return date: Manchester United (H) Sunday, September 14
Nico O'Reilly
Injury: Unknown
The midfielder withdrew from the England Under-21 squad with an undisclosed injury. City said the academy graduate will be assessed at the CFA ahead of the derby.
Potential return date: Manchester United (H) Sunday, September 14
Savinho
Injury: Unknown
Savinho has been absent all season with an unspecified problem. Tottenham were keen on signing the Brazilian, who appeared open to the move, but City have closed the door on an exit and expect the player to return after the international break.
Potential return date: Manchester United (H) Sunday, September 14
Josko Gvardiol
Injury: Unknown
Gvardiol has not featured in a matchday squad yet this season. The Croatian has returned to light training but has yet to be passed fit enough to feature.
Potential return date: Manchester United (H) Sunday, September 14
Mateo Kovacic
Injury: Achilles
The midfielder could be out until October with the Achilles injury that he had surgery on this summer. Kovacic went under the knife shortly after the season finished, missing the Club World Cup and the rest of pre-season with the hope that he would be able to be fit around the start of the new campaign. But he is now set to be absent until at least the October international break.
Potential return date: Everton (H), October 18
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