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Manchester City injury and return dates as Jeremy Doku faces spell on sidelines
Manchester City suffered a fresh injury blow ahead of their Premier League win over Crystal Palace with the news that Jeremy Doku was sidelined. The winger missed the 3-0 win in the capital with a leg issue and is unlikely to be involved against Brentford in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
Pep Guardiola's side produced a clinical performance in seeing off Palace on Sunday with Erling Haaland scoring twice and Phil Foden also on target. The victory cut Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League table to two points after the Gunners had briefly extended it to five with their last-gasp win over Wolves on Saturday night.
City's next league game is at home to West Ham on Saturday in their final fixture before Christmas. Here's the injury latest from the Etihad.
Jeremy Doku
Injury: Leg
Guardiola spoke briefly about the Belgian before the game against Palace. "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."
It remains to be seen when Doku will return but he is unlikely to be involved against Brentford in the midweek cup tie.
Potential return date: Unknown
Rodri
Injury: Hamstring
Rodri remains sidelined and Guardiola and City are working to ensure the midfielder is not rushed back into contention after a series of setbacks since returning from a lengthy ACL injury. The 29-year-old is still a few weeks away from being able to come into contention for a first team spot.
"It was a muscular injury against Brentford, in a high-tendon muscular hamstring area. And he's a bit more careful," said Guardiola. "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."
Potential return date: December/January 2026
Mateo Kovacic
Injury: Ankle
Kovacic is not expected to return for a few months with the Croatia international sidelined with an ankle issue having missed the start of the campaign having undergone Achilles surgery in the summer.
Guardiola explained: "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."
Potential return date: February 2026
John Stones
Injury: Thigh
The defender is missing with a thigh injury but City are hopeful of a swift return for the 31-year-old. "I think it was his thigh that he had a problem with," said City assistant Kolo Toure on Friday. "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.
Potential return date: Unknown
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