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Need to know
Manchester City came away 3-0 winners at Crystal Palace last weekend, closing the gap to leaders Arsenal to just two points
Everything you need to know about Manchester City injuries and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) potential return dates...
- Jeremy Doku (winger): has been sidelined with a leg muscle injury he picked up recently, leading to his surprise omission from the matchday squad against Crystal Palace on Sunday. Pep Guardiola has indicated that the Belgian is expected to miss approximately two to three weeks of action, potentially ruling him out until the New Year.
- Estimated return timeline: When asked for a timeframe, Guardiola tentatively suggested a potential return around the 'New Year's' match against Sunderland, adding the cautious phrase, 'maybe, I'm not sure.' This lack of certainty indicates the club will be closely monitoring Doku's recovery over the coming weeks.
- Major blow: Doku has been one of their most consistent performers this season, and his absence will be keenly felt over the busy festive fixture period. He is already expected to miss the Carabao Cup tie against Brentford (December 17) and Premier League matches against West Ham (December 20) and Nottingham Forest (December 27).
- Rodri (midfielder): is still recovering from a hamstring injury that has seen him suffer setbacks since his initial return in November. The Spanish midfielder is reportedly getting "sharper and sharper" in training but is not expected to feature until late December or early January.
- John Stones (defender): is also out of action, having sustained a thigh injury that ruled him out of the recent game against Crystal Palace. While his absence is not considered long-term, he will likely miss the midweek Carabao Cup quarter-final tie.
- Mateo Kovacic (midfielder): remains a long-term absentee after undergoing ankle surgery and is not expected to return until late in the season. Guardiola revealed the midfielder still has some 'calcification' on his ankle, making his exact return date unknown.
AFCON absences
- Two players absent: Defender Rayan Ait-Nouri and forward Omar Marmoush will be away on international duty until the end of the tournament on January 18.
- Premier League: The AFCON runs from December 21 to January 18, meaning the pair will be absent for a crucial run of Premier League matches over the festive period. This includes the home fixture against West Ham United on December 20, the away trips to Nottingham Forest on December 27 and Sunderland on January 1.
- Potential upcoming fixtures to miss: Should their nations reach the final, they will also miss major Premier League clashes in January, such as the home game against Chelsea on January 4 and the derby away at Manchester United on January 17.
- Carabao Cup and FA Cup fixtures: The players will be unavailable for the Carabao Cup Quarter-Final against Brentford, which is a decisive knockout match. They are also expected to miss the Emirates FA Cup Third Round tie, scheduled for January 10, which adds to the pressure on the current first-team players.
- Champions League: A long run for their national teams could also impact their availability for a potential Champions League fixture against Bodo/Glimt on January 20.
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