Man City injury latest as Blues handed fitness worry and four set to miss Arsenal showdown

Manchester City injury latest ahead of the Premier League heavyweight clash with Arsenal

Manchester City will make a late call on talisman Rodri ahead of the Premier League clash with Arsenal on Sunday.

The midfielder is still feeling his way back from a serious injury sustained against the Gunners last September and while he has started the last two City matches - wins over Manchester United in the Premier League and Napoli in the Champions League - Blues boss Pep Guardiola has spoken over a need to manage the Spaniard's workload ahead of what could be a third game in a week.

John Stones, who has missed the last two matches, was back in training on Wednesday ahead of the game with Napoli but was not in the squad on Thursday night. He is expected to be in contention for the game with the Gunners.

Kalvin Phillips is also back in training but a clutch of senior players remain sidelined ahead of the Premier League trip to Arsenal on Sunday. Here's the injury latest from the Etihad.

Rodri

Injury: Fitness

The midfielder has started each of City's last two matches but Guardiola will make a late call on whether to include Rodri in the City side to face Arsenal after he asked to be substituted during the win against Napoli.

The 29-year-old felt uncomfortable during Wednesday's training session but said he was fit enough to start the Champions League opener, and lasted an hour before being replaced by Nico Gonzalez at the Etihad.

Rodri will need to prove he is fit enough to start three games in a week for the first time since injuring his anterior cruciate ligament against Arsenal a year ago and Guardiola admits there is no guarantee the Ballon d'Or winner will be up to the task.

Potential return date: Arsenal (a) Sunday, September 21

John Stones

Injury: Muscle

The defender pulled out of England duty earlier this month with a muscle issue but returned to City training this week. He was not in the squad for the win over Napoli on Thursday night but is in contention to feature against Arsenal.

Potential return date: Arsenal (a) Sunday, September 21

Omar Marmoush

Injury: Knee

Marmoush suffered an injury in the fourth minute of Egypt's goalless draw with Burkina Faso earlier this month. He tried to carry on but was withdrawn five minutes later.

He returned to Cairo on crutches and underwent a scan in Egypt to assess the extent of the damage. City expect him to return to action in the coming weeks.

"Before the international break he will be ready," said Guardiola.

Potential return date: Sunday, October 5, Brentford (A)

Rayan Cherki

Injury: Thigh

The France international is sidelined for two months after picking up a thigh injury. He is not expected to be fit until late in October.

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. He is a doubt for the game with Arsenal.

Potential return date: Burnley (H) Saturday, September 27

Mateo Kovacic

Injury: Achilles

The midfielder is 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